e>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


/ 


0 


^  /A 


A 


0-/y//// 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


I  ^  Ilia 

It   1^    III  2.0 

I.    ^  — — 

U    11.6 


PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MA^^4  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  1*580 

(716)  87'J-4;.d3 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microrepioductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


.,.»«-  - 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  pe^tdtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqii^s  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 

n 


□ 


n 

D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couieur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

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Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couieur 

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Bound  with  other  material/ 
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lareliure  serree  peu:  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
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pas  6t6  filmdes. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
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□    Pages  damaged/ 
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r~~]    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


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Pages  d^color^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 

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I 1    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I    Pages  detached/ 


I      I    Showthrough/ 


Transparence 


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Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

!      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


n 


Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

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obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  r6duction  indlqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


SOX 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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g6n6TOs\t6  de: 

Librury  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  I'exemplaira  film6,  ei  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shell  contain  the  symbol  — *►  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  filmds  en  commenqant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derni6re  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commenqant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  salon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — *-  signifie   "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  etre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

CL©¥m, 

FDIELfe  KOOT< 


"V.w, 


//^/i'     AiPty 


fmm. 


FUMTi 


WRITTEN   BY 


'I 

Of  the  University  of  IMinnesota. 


MINRIAFOLIB.  mNN, 

MOrnTT,  TRURaTON  *  PLANK  PTQ.  CO. 

1895. 


.  h 


,a5 


I'', 


■'■^" 


KiiliTi'il  iii'ri)i<lln«  load  of  ('oiiitn'HM 
III  till-  yriir  IMCi  liy  tin- 

NllliTIIIII'P,    IIKASI.AN,  IIIMIIIWIN   CO., 

Ill  tint  finii'it  of  till' 

Llliriirliiii  of  CoiiKn'MH  lit  WiihIiIiixIoii. 


'd5> 


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^ 


^ 


PUBLISHERS'   PREFACE. 


Every  season  we  are  In  receipt  of  a  great  many  letters  asking  In- 
formation on  the  subjects  which  are  discussed  in  this  book.    In  our 
desire  to  answer  these  questions  correctly  and  in  a  manner  that  would 
be  Ukeful  to  our  correspondents,  It  became  apparent  to  us,  as  it  has  no 
doubt  been  clear  to  nearly  everyone  who  operates  a  farm,  that  there 
was  no  book  In  existence  that  handled  these  Important  subjects  In  a 
really  clear  and  practical  manner.    We  determined  to  have  such  a 
book.    The  next  question  with  us  was,  wliom  should  we  get  to  write 
It.    There  are  some  writers  who  know  a  ^ood  deal,  but  cannot  tell  It. 
There  are  others  who  write  a  good  deal  but  do  no».  know  It.    What 
we  were  after  was  a  man  who  knew  and  could  teil  It  In  a  way  that 
would  be  readily  i:nderstood  by  everyone  who  could  read.    We  finally 
fixed  on  such  a  man.  Professor  Thomas  Shaw,  a  thorough  student,  a 
practical  farmer,  and  one  who  possesses  In  a  rare  degree  the  gift  of 
imparting  information  In  such  a  manner  as  to  interest  and  Instruct 
every  one  who  reads.    We  said  to  Professor  Shaw,  *'  W»  want  a  book 
that  will  enable  the  farmer  who  consults  It  to  decide: 
First— What  Is  best  for  his  land  and  purpose. 
Second— How  to  prepare  his  ground. 
Third— How  to  sow  the  seed. 
Fourth— How  to  take  care  of  the  crop. 
Fifth-How  to  harvest  It. 
SIxth-Howtofeedit." 

We  will  leave  It  to  the  reader  to  Judge  as  to  how  well  Professor 
Shaw  and  ourselves  have  succeeded  In  the  work  as  it  stands. 

This  book  should  prove  interesting  and  instructive  to  farmers 
everywhere,  but  It  will  be  found  of  especial  value  throughout  the 
Northwest.  We  have  faith  In  the  future  of  the  Northwest.  We 
believe  that  out  of  the  conditions  that  have  prevailed  during  the 
last  few  years.  It  will  arise  stronger  than  ever  before.  The  low  price 
of  wheat  will  compel  attention  to  other  crops.    Great  changes  have 


TTT 


alrcaJv  tak«n  place.    In  our  experience  In  the  seed  business  In  Minn*- 
sota.  covet  Inn  a  period  ol  something  over  ten  years,  we  can  see  already 
a  Kreat  advancement.    Ten  years  aRO  It  was  not  thought  possible  to 
ralsa  any  good  variety  of  corn  In  Minnesota,  outside  of  the  southern 
tier  ot  counties.    The  variety  In  common  use  In  the  Immediate  vicinity 
of  Minneartolls  was  a  small-eared,  shallow  corn  called  the  "  Michigan 
Row  Dent."  which  was  In  fact  nearly  a  flint.    At  the  present  time  this 
variety  has  been  altogether  discarded,  having  given  place  to  such  well- 
known  sorts  as  the  Minnesota  King.  Pride  of  the  North,  Dal<ota  Dent, 
etc..  and  It  will  not  be  more  than  a  year  or  two  when  these  will  be 
iuperseded  by  even  better  varieties  which  have  been  brought  from  th« 
South  gradually  by  us  so  as  to  acclimate  them  to  this  >.llmate.    In  less 
than  five  years'  lime,  the  state  of  Minnesota  will  be  growing  as  good 
corn,  as  large  corn,  and  as  many  bushels  to  the  acre  as  are  now  pro- 
duced In  the  states  of  Iowa.  Illinois  and  Nebraska.    A  tew  years  ago, 
the  only  variety  of  corn  that  was  known,  or  that  was  thought  possible 
to  be  produced  In  North  Dakota  was  the  Squaw  Corn.    In  Its  place  we 
now  h.ive  varieties  Ilk::  the  Minnesota  King,  Mercer.  Pride  of  Dakota, 
etc..  which  not  only  give  a  large  yield  of  ears  but  an  abundance  of 
fodder.  We  take  considerable  satisfaction  In  the  thought  that  we  have 
been  Instrumental  In  acclimating  and  introducing  most  ot  these  varie- 
ties into  the  Northwest.    Not  many  years  ago  It  was  thought  Impos- 
sible that  timothy  and  clover  could  thrive  in  Minnesota.    Today 
Minnesota  grown  seed  of  these  varieties  commands  the  highest  price 
amongst  seed  buyers,  all  over  the  United  States.    It  Is  such  facts  as 
these  that  lead  us  to  look  confidently  to  more  rapid  developments  even« 
owing  to  the  pressure  necessity  exerts. 

We  should  be  pleased  to  hear  from  all  those  who  read  this  book, 
as  to  how  well  It  meets  their  views  and  needs. 

Very  truly. 
NORTHHUP,  BRASLAN,  GOODWIN  CO. 

Minneapolis,  Minn.,  January  I,  1895. 


•  tnMlnn«- 
■Nalready 
possible  to 
lie  southern 
late  vicinity 
"Michigan 
tnttlme  this 
0  such  well' 
ilkota  Dent. 
hesc  will  be 
Uht  Irom  the 
ate.    In  less 
'lnf(  as  KO<xl 
are  now  pro- 
V  years  ago, 
ight  possible 
Its  place  we 
( of  Dakota, 
ibundance  of 
hat  we  have 
these  varle- 
lURht  Impos- 
3ta.    To-day 
highest  price 
such  facts  as 
pmentseven* 

Id  this  book, 


WIN  CO. 


PRr.rATORv  Noxn. 


This  book  was  written  for  the  publishers  at  their  request  and 
with  tlie  sanction  and  approval  of  the  Ajiriiailturai  Committee  of  the 
Board  of  Regents  of  the  State  of  Minnesot.:.  It  Is  Intended  to  sup- 
ply In  some  degree  the  great  dearth  of  practical  llteraturt;  on  tlie 
subjects  of  which  it  treats.  When  writing  it,  the  Author's  aim  was 
to  render  It  helpful  to  the  farmers  of  this  Republic,  and  more  espe- 
cially to  those  located  in  the  newer  sections  thereof,  where  experi- 
ence In  growing  many  valuable  farm  products  Is  as  yet  very  limited, 

and  in  some  Instances  entirely  wanting. 

THOMAS  SHAW. 
UNIVERSITY  EXPERIMENT  STATION,       | 
ST.  ANTHONY  PARK,  Minn.,  Dcc.,'94,  f 


r 

( 

i 

-nF 


GRASSES  AND  FORAGE  PLANTS. 


CHAPTEU  I. 


THE  CHEAT   iMPORTANCi   RELATIVELY  OF   GRASS,    FORAOE, 

PoDDfjR  AND  Root  Chops. 


The  ttrass  crop  of  the  world  U  the  mo<it  Important  crop  by  far  that 
mother  e.irth  produces.  No  other  crop  In  so  necessiiry  to  the  suste- 
nance of  the  various  forms  of  animal  life,  nor  Is  there  any  vhlch 
covers  so  larKC  an  area.  Hvcn  In  rich,  arable  sections  dlstint{ulshe«i 
tor  urowlng  cereals  there  Is  usually  a  larner  area  devoted  to  grass  than 
to  any  other  variety  of  crop.  And  here  It  may  be  mentioned  that  the 
term  Krass  Is  meant  to  Include  all  the  varieties  of  clover. 

In  no  other  way  can  soil  fertility  and  soil  moisture  be  so  easily 
maintained  as  by  Kfowint;  grass  In  one  or  the  otiier  of  its  various 
forms,  and  In  no  other  way  can  the  comparative  density  of  the  soli  be 
kept  so  perfectly  in  ctiullibrium.  It  follows,  therefore,  that  more  atten- 
tion should  be  given  relatively  to  the  growing  of  grasses  than  to  the 
growing  of  other  crops. 

H.it  there  are  special  reasons  why  the  grass  crop  should  receive 
most  caretui  attention  at  the  hands  of  the  farmers  in  that  Section  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  usually  spoken  of  as  the  Northwest. 
These  grow  out  of  the  comparative  dryness  of  the  climate  In  that  re- 
gion, the  relatively  small  yields  furnished  by  the  upland  native  prairie, 
the  dry  and  woody  character  of  the  grasses  which  grow  upon  it  during 
the  whole  of  the  autumn,  the  much  larger  yields  that  will  be  obtained 
from  certain  varieties  of  the  cultivated  grasses,  and  the  greater  power 
which  some  of  these  possess  to  crowd  out  nearly  all  forms  of  noxious 
weed  life. 

While  it  Is  well  to  recognize  the  fact  that  some  kinds  of  grass  will 
always  grow  more  shyly  and  less  luxuriantly  In  the  Northwest  than  In 


.»  •itm\mmiM0tiaUm 


«MM«.tMnM>'»< 


8         Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  ami  Fodder  Plants, 


a  more  humid  climate,  It  should  be  remembered  that  many  kinds  of 
grass  can  be  introduced  with  great  advantage  in  addition  to  those  now 
grown.  Th.se  varieties  will  be  mentioned  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 
In  the  meantime  every  farmer  should  be  testing  thtm  for  himself  to 
ascertain  which  kinds  will  best  suit  his  soil  and  climate.  He  should 
introduce  them  at  first  wlt»-  a  prudent  caution  until  he  has  satisfied 
himself  that  they  have  staying  <,jailties.  This  once  assured,  they 
may  be  grown  to  any  extent  desired. 

The  term  forage  crops  Includes  such  crops  as  are  grown  for  pas- 
ture or  for  summer  feeding  In  addition  to  the  grasses  proper,  as  for  in- 
stance rye  eaten  off  fail  a«d  spring,  rape  eaten  off  when  desired,  and 
mixed  grains  grown  and  cut  and  fed  while  yet  green.  There  Is  a  pe- 
culiar propriety  in  ga-wing  these  crops  In  the  Northwest  owing  to  the 
dr^'nessof  the  climate  and  to  the  lack  of  succulen..e  In  the  grasses  In 
consequence  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year.  In  the  judgmmt  of  the 
writer  the  successful  growing  of  forage  crops  to  supplement  the  pas- 
tures when  these  are  dry  is  the  most  Important  consideration  that  can 
engage  the  attention  of  the  producer  of  live  stock.  Every  one  thus  en- 
gaged is  deeply  Interested  in  thiS|::oblem  and  should  at  once  set  to  work 
In  solving  It  for  himself  and  more  or  less  on  the  lines  laid  down  in 
Chapter  IV  of  this  book. 

To  secure  a  vigoroujs  germination  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  Is 
the  one  real  difficulty  to  be  overcome  In  the  growing  of  these  forage 
crops.  But  many  of  them  may  be  planted  or  sown  while  there  Is  yet 
sufficient  moisture  in  the  ground  to  attain  this  end.  The  amount  of 
food  which  may  thus  be  grown  per  acre  where  a  due  regard  Is  had  to 
adaptation  Is  In  many  Instances  very  great.  And  the  forage  crops  men- 
tioned in  the  chapter  referred  to,  have  nutrJtIve  and  succulent  proper- 
ties admirably  adapted  to  the  needs  of  various  classes  of  live  stock. 

Fodder  crops  are  those  crops  which  are  grown  for  winter  foods, 
exclusive  of  the  grain  taken  out  of  the  ear,  and  field  roots,  as  mangels, 
turnips  and  potatoes.  They  include  such  crops  as  corn,  millet  and 
cereals  cut  at  a  stage  which  precludes  the  necessity  for  threshing  them. 
These  crops  will  be  still  more  in  demand  In  the  Northwest  as  the  land 
becomes  occupied,  aod  the  areas  for  producing  wild  hay  decrease  in 
consequence.  They  usually  produce  more  food  per  acre  than  hay,  and 
In  some  seasons  they  can  be  grown  so  as  to  supplement  a  light  grass 
crop. 


{er  Plantf. 

:  many  kinds  of 
on  to  those  now 
leqnent  chapter, 
n  for  himself  to 
ate.  He  shouid 
he  has  satisfied 
e  assured,  they 

5  grown  for  pas- 
roper,  as  for  in- 
len  desired,  and 
There  is  a  pe- 
st owing  to  the 
I  the  grasses  in 
udgmmt  of  the 
lement  the  pas- 
sration  that  can 
ery  one  thus  en- 
once  set  to  worl< 
!S  laid  down  in 

is  of  the  year  is 
of  these  forage 
hiie  there  is  yet 
The  amount  of 
regard  Is  had  to 
orage  crops  men- 
ucculent  proper- 
of  live  stock, 
for  winter  foods, 
tots,  as  mangels, 
corn,  millet  and 
threshing  them, 
vest  as  the  land 
hay  decrease  in 
re  than  hay,  and 
nt  a  light  grass 


I 


JUlative  Importance  of  Gras.w  an.i  Root  Cro/>s.  9 

Field  rooU  Include  such  crops  as  mangels,  turnips  and  carrots. 
One  variety  or  anotlier  of  these  can  be  grown  in  every  section  of  the 
Northwest,  and  Indeed  in  all  the  Northern  and  MiJdIe  States  and  in 
the  Dominion  of  Canada  from  sea  to  sea.  On  suitable  soils  and  when 
properly  grown  they  produce  an  enormous  amount  of  food  per  acre. 
And  when  fed  as  a  part  ot  the  ration,  more  especially  In  the  winter  sea- 
son, no  other  food  adjunct  is  equal  to  them  for  keeping  live  stock  in  a 
healthy  condition,  or  promoting  their  rapid  development. 


^..m-m^ 


10 


Grassfs,  Cloven:,  Field  Roots,  Foraj^e  ami  Fodder  PUxnts. 


CHAPIER  11. 


Cultivated  ghasses  and  clovers 


%, 


Grasses, 

Tn  this  chapter  only  those  varieties  are  discussed  In  detail  which 
have  been  found  suitable  to  the  conditions  of  the  Northwest,  or  in  ref- 
erence to  which  there  Is  a  strong  likelihood  that  they  will  be  found 
suitable  to  those  conditions.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  other  vari- 
eties may  yet  be  found  adapted  to  this  country,  but  the  discussion  of 
these  at  present  would  be  foreign  to  the  aim  of  this  book. 

Notwithstanding  the  Important  part  that  cultivated  grasses  anu 
clovers  will  yet  play  in  the  agriculture  of  the  Northwest,  they  should 
be  discussed  In  the  meantime  with  a  prudent  caution.  But  little  is 
known  positively  regarding  the  adaptability  of  some  of  the  different 
varieties,  as  several  of  them  have  not  been  sufficiently  tested  as  yet; 
and  where  tests  have  been  made  In  many  instances  the  conditions 
were  such  that  the  conclusions  reached  have  either  possessed  but  little 
value  or  have  been  positively  misleading.  In  a  country  so  large,  one 
variety  for  Instance,  may  fail  in  one  locality  and  prove  a  success  In 
another  where  the  conditions  of  soil  and  climate  are  different,  and  the 
opposite  of  this  may  also  prove  true.  And  in  situationsfar  apart  where 
the  soil  conditions  are  exactly  the  same,  very  dissimilar  results  may  be 
obtained  In  growing  the  same  plants  owing  to  a  difference  in  climate. 

Timothy.— Timothy  {PhUum  pratenst)  is  so  well  known  that  it 
Is  not  necessary  to  describe  it.  At  present  it  stands  crowned  king  of 
all  the  grasses.  It  is  probably  adapted  to  a  wider  range  of  conditions 
than  any  other  variety  of  grass.  No  other  variety  is  perhaps  equal  to 
it  In  average  yields,  nor  does  any  other  variety  excel  it  in  ail  round 
feeding  value.  It  Is  best  suited  to  rich,  damp  loam  soils  abounding  in 
vegetable  matter.  On  these  soils  the  best  crops  can  be  grown  when 
they  lie  upon  a  subsoil  of  average  density.    Clay  loams  are  preferable 


'«^.... 


T 


fr  Plants. 


Cultivated  Grasses  and  Chvers. 


II 


in  detail  which 
iwest,  or  in  ref- 
'  will  be  found 
that  other  vari- 
e  discussion  of 
k. 

;d  grasses  anu 

st,  they  should 

But  little  is 

if  the  different 

tested  as  yet; 
the  conditions 
essed  but  little 
■  so  large,  one 
;  a  success  in 
erent,  and  the 
ar  apart  where 
results  may  be 
ce  In  climate. 
l<nown  that  it 
)wned  Ifingof 

of  conditions 
rhaps  equal  to 
t  In  all  round 

abounding  In 

grown  when 
are  preferable 


to  sandy  loams.  Sandy  soils  produce  light  crops  of  timothy,  and  the 
lighter  the  sand  the  less  adapted  is  it  to  the  growth  of  timothy.  Fair 
crops  may  be  grown  in  some  seasons  on  stiff  clays. 

Timothy  may  be  sown  alone  in  the  early  autumn  or  along  with  a 
crop  of  rye,  or  it  may  be  sown  early  in  the  spring.  In  the  autumn  it 
should  be  sown  In  September  alone  or  along  with  rye.  When  sown 
late  In  the  spring  it  is  much  more  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  the  dry 
weather  of  summer.  The  depth  of  the  covering  will  depend  on  the 
nature  of  the  soli,  the  humidity  of  the  climate  and  the  time  of  sowing. 
The  lighter  and  more  spongy  the  soil  the  deeper  the  covering  required, 
and  the  more  humid  the  climate,  and  the  earlier  In  the  spring  that  the 
seed  Is  sown,  the  lighter  will  be  the  covering  needed.  When  the 
weather  is  moist  ic  Is  not  necessary  to  cover  the  seed  on  heavy  soils. 
On  soils  that  do  not  shift  with  the  wind  the  roller  may  provide  a  suffic- 
ient covering  for  seed  sown  in  the  spring,  but  for  seed  sown  In  the  au- 
tumn it  should  never  be  thus  used.  On  very  spongy  soils  such  as  we 
sometimes  find  on  the  prairie,  the  seed  may  be  buried  to  the  depth  of 
one  inch  or  more. 

Timothy  can  be  sown  by  hand,  with  an  attachment  to  the  grain 
drill,  or  with  seeders  made  for  the  purpose.  The  amount  of  seed  re- 
quired will  vary  with  the  soil  conditions  and  with  the  extent  to  which 
it  Is  grown  In  conjunction  with  other  grasses.  The  richer  the  soil  and 
the  finer  the  tilth,  the  less  the  quantity  of  seed  required.  If  sown 
alone,  from  6  to  12  pounds  of  seed  may  be  used.  When  sown  with 
clover  the  amount  of  timothy  seed  required  will  vary  with  the  relative 
proportion  of  each  that  may  be  sought,  but  from  4  to  6  pounds  of  tim- 
othy and  from  6  to  8  pounds  of  clover  are  usually  deemed  sufficient. 

Timothy  Is  more  commonly  grown  for  hay  than  for  pasture,  but  is 
very  extensively  raised  for  both  uses.  When  grown  for  hay  it  may  be 
grown  £lone  or  along  with  other  grasses  and  clovers.  On  average 
soils  it  is  frequently  sown  along  with  common  red  or  ..lammoth  clover 
and  on  low  soils  containing  much  vegetable  matter  with  aisike  clover. 
When  timothy  has  reached  full  bloom  it  is  ready  to  be  cut  for  hay.  It 
cures  easily  and  If  allowed  to  ripen  its  seeds  the  crop  is  cut  with  the 
binder.    It  is  threshed  with  an  ordinary  threshing  machine. 

Timothy  has  proved  itself  well  adapted  to  the  Northwest.  Oii 
prairie  soils  it  seldom  fails  to  make  a  "stand"  when  sown  early  In  the 
season,  under  suitable  conditions.    But  after  it  has  been  cut  once  or 


12       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants, 


twice  it  frequently  becomes  so  thick  In  the  bottom  that  It  falls  to  give 
a  lar^e  return  <  hay.  When  this  takes  place  It  should  be  ploughed 
undei ;  In  other  words,  on  prairie  soils  timothy  meadows  should  be  of 
short  duration. 

Unlike  clover,  timothy  does  not  enrich  the  Jand  but  on  prairie  soils 
It  accomplishes  much  good  In  another  way.  When  a  timothy  mead- 
ow Is  broken  up  It  brings  much  moisture  to  the  soli  which  is  of  great 
benefit  to  the  crop  that  comes  after  it.  For  this  reason  if  for  no  other 
timothy  should  come  frequently  in  the  rotation  on  prairie  soils. 

Blue  Qrass.— Blue  grass  {Poa  pratensis)  Is  a  perennial  with  creep* 
Ing  rootstocks.  It  is  sometimes  known  as  June  grass,  probably  from 
the  fact  that  in  the  northern  hemisphere  it  matures  its  seeds  in  the 
month  of  June.  It  is  also  frequently  called  Kentucky  blue  grass.  It 
seems  to  grow  singularly  well  in  Kentucky,  hence  probably  the  origin 
of  the  name.  Indeed  the  term  blue  grass  is  a  misnomer,  as  it  properly 
belongs  to  a  variety  (Poa  compressa)  not  nearly  so  widely  distributed 
as  June  grass.  The  real  blue  grass,  (Poa  compressa')  has  a  flat  stem  of 
a  blue  color  and  the  leaves  also  have  a  blueish  tinge.  It  does  not 
m.-)ture  its  seeds  for  nearly  a  month  after  the  other  variety  has  been 
ripe,  and  moreover  It  weighs  very  heavily  when  made  into  hay, 
whereas  the  other  variety  {Poa  pratensis)  does  not  weigh  so  heavily, 
nor  Is  it  of  so  good  feeding  quality. 

Blue  grass  (Poa  pratensis)  is  very  widely  distributed.  It  seems  to 
be  a  native  of  Europe,  Asia  and  America.  Over  large  portions  of  the 
North  American  continent  It  does  not  require  to  be  sown  it  is  so  well 
established.  Where  forests  have  been  cut  away  it  will  soon  take  pos- 
session of  the  soil  without  having  l>een  sown,  and  there  is  probably 
no  grass  in  the  northern  part  of  the  continent  which  can  hold  its  own 
against  blue  grass,  unless  it  be  couch  grass,  which  is  usually  looked 
upon  as  a  weed. 

Blue  grass  Is  gradually  working  westward  and  with  occupancy  of 
the  lands,  it  puts  in  an  appearance,  although  it  does  not  come  so  read- 
ily In  the  open  prairie  as  in  those  sections  of  the  west  naturally  capa- 
ble of  growing  timber.  Nor  does  it  grow  so  vigorously  when  It  has 
been  established.  Nevertheless  It  is  doubtless  destined  to  overrun 
very  much  ot  th«  west  In  time,  so  that  after  land  has  been  once  culti- 
vated and  then  allowed  to  run  wild  again,  blue  grass  will  be  the  vari- 
ety which  will  take  possession  of  such  soils.    Its  advent  In  the  North- 


tr  Plants. 

it  falls  to  Klve 
d  be  ploughed 
v%  .should  be  of 

on  prairie  soils 
timothy  mead- 
Ich  Is  of  great 
if  for  no  other 
e  soils. 

nial  with  creep- 
probably  from 
s  seeds  in  the 
blue  grass.  It 
ably  the  origin 
r,  as  it  properly 
ieiy  distributed 
IS  a  flat  stem  of 
e.  It  does  not 
irlety  has  been 
lade  into  hay, 
igh  so  heavily, 

id.  It  seems  to 
portions  of  the 
n  It  is  so  well 
soon  take  pos- 
ere  Is  probably 
n  hold  its  own 
usually  looked 

:h  occupancy  of 
t  come  so  read- 
naturally  capa- 
y  when  it  has 
i*£d  to  overrun 
een  once  culti- 
111  be  the  vari- 
it  In  the  North- 


Cultivated  Grasses  and  Cloven, 


n 


west  should  be  encouraged,  for,  though  it  has  some  weak  points,  it  is 
much  superior  to  the  native  prairie  as  a  pasture. 

Biu«  grass  springs  up  early  In  the  season.  It  is  et  its  best  for  pro- 
viding pasture  in  all  the  Northern  States  early  In  June,  and  in  those 
further  to  the  southward  in  May.  Then  it  remains  dormant  in  summer 
and  springs  into  life  again  in  the  autumn  with  the  arrival  of  the  au- 
tumnal rains.  In  Kentucky  and  other  states  in  latitudes  where  the 
winters  are  mild,  this  grass  furnishes  much  food  at  that  season.  The 
chief  exception  taken  to  blue  grass  in  the  Northwest  is  the  long  period 
during  which  it  lies  dormant  in  the  summer.  This  can  in  pare  be  rem- 
edied by  refraining  from  pasturing  too  closely. 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  will  be  apparent  that  this  grass  will 
grow  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil,  that  under  reasonable  conditions  no 
difficulty  will  be  found  in  sustaining  it,  and  that  once  In  the  soil  it  is 
likely  to  spring  up  a^ain  after  the  land  has  been  cultivated.  Moreover, 
owing  to  the  many  root  stocks  which  it  produces,  blue  grass  serves  an 
excellent  purpose  In  putting  vegetable  matter  In  the  soil  which  will 
bring  moisture  to  It  wlien  other  crops  have  been  made  to  follow  it.  Its 
appearance  therefore  should  be  countenanced  by  sowing  It  freely  where 
it  has  not  yet  been  grown. 

Blue  grass  is  grown  more  for  pasture  than  for  hay,  and  when  grown 
alone  it  futnishei  the  most  common  form  of  permanent  pasture  found  in 
America.  It  Is  seldom  sown  to  produce  hay.  On  old  cultivated  lands 
it  will  come  Into  a  permanent  pasture  composed  of  mixed  grasses  as  it 
were  spontaneously  in  two  or  three  years,  but  Its  advent  Is  hastened 
by  sowing  some  of  the  seed  when  the  permanent  pasture  is  laid  down. 

The  seed  is  commonly  sown  by  hand  and  covered  with  the  harrow. 
It  may  be  put  in  with  a  nurse  crop  the  same  as  other  grasses.  Two 
bushels  of  seed  are  recommended  per  acre  when  blue  grass  is  the  only 
grass  sown.  The  seed  weighs  14  lbs.  per  bushel.  When  this  grass 
has  once  become  established  it  will  stand  any  amount  of  cropping. 
The  cold  of  winter  seems  to  have  no  power  to  kill  it,  and  it  seems 
virtually  able  to  endure  the  most  prolonged  drought  of  summer. 

Blue  grass  must  be  very  promptly  cut  when  it  Is  to  be  cured  for 
hay.  If  allowed  to  get  too  far  advanced  before  it  is  cut  it  will  be  almost 
valueless  for  fodder,  and  the  same  Is  true  when  it  is  allowed  to  dry  too 
much  In  the  sun  while  being  cured.  Blue  grass  is  ready  for  cutting 
when  once  fully  cr  t  'o  hjad. 


r 


14       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


Orchard  ara««.— Orchard  grass  {Dactylis glomerata)A^tt  Fig.  I) 
Is  a  perennial  which  grows  vigorously  on  suitable  soils.  It  Is  thought 
to  be  a  native  of  Europe,  but  Is  now  found  In  North  Africa,  India  and 
North  America.  Noted  for  Its  persistent  growth.  It  furnishes  good 
pasture  ir.  the  spring  and  also  In  the  autumn,  ordinarily  growing  from 
two  to  two  and  a  half  feet  In  height  when  matured.  The  leaves  are 
numerous,  large  and  somewhat  coarse.  The  heads  are  branched  rather 
than  single. 

This  grass  Is  possessed  of  wonderful  adaptation  to  various  soils 
and  climates,  and  to  different  modes  of  treatment.  As  the  name  Im- 
plies, it  Is  well  suited  to  shady  places,  such  as  orchards  and  groves, 
where  the  foliage  Is  not  too  dense.  It  grows  particularly  well  In  the 
climate  of  New  England.  In  some  of  the  Central  States  It  has  also 
proved  a  decided  success.  But  In  the  West  the  accounts  regarding  it 
are  not  quite  so  hopeful,  and  In  the  Northwest  experience  with  ref- 
erence to  growing  It  is  as  yet  comparatively  limited.  Some  of  those 
who  have  tried  It  are  well  pleased  with  the  results.  On  the  slopes  of 
the  Pacific,  where  the  rainfall  Is  abundant,  orchard  grass  should  do 
very  well. 

This  grass  Is  grown  both  as  a  pasture  and  for  hay,  but  more  espec- 
ially to  provide  pasture.  In  congenial  situations  no  other  grass  prob- 
ably will  equal  it  In  furnishing  pasture,  in  orchards  and  open  groves,  but 
it  will  not  grow  in  a  thicket  or  amid  underwood.  It  Is  much  given  to 
growing  in  tufts,  particularly  as  It  becomes  older.  This  may  be  par- 
tially prevented  by  sowing  the  seed  thickly.  When  raised  for  hay 
under  favorable  conditions,  more  than  one  crop  per  year  Is  sometimes 
obtained.  And  when  but  one  crop  is  cut  In  the  season  the  aftermath  is 
usually  luxuriant. 

Orchard  grass  Is  more  suitable  for  pasture  than  for  meadow,  for  the 
reason,  first,  that  the  leaves  are  abundant  in  proportion  to  the  stems; 
second,  it  commences  to  grow  very  early  in  the  spring,  fully  two  weeks 
sooner  than  almost  any  other  variety  of  cultivated  grass,  and  It  con- 
tinues to  flourish  where  the  moisture  Is  sufficient  until  frosts  come  In 
the  autumn;  third.  It  Is  less  affected  by  the  drought  of  summer  than 
many  other  varieties  of  grass,  and  fourth,  where  the  conditions  are 
favorable  Its  durability  Is  marked.  This  grass  has  been  grown  on  the 
same  land  for  from  thirty  to  forty  years. 

Orchard  grass  Is  best  adapted  to  good,  strong,  deep  loam  soils,  free 


'er  Plants, 

3/rt),fseeFlg.l) 
.  It  is  thouKht 
frica,  India  and 
furnislies  good 
/  Kfowing  from 
Tiie  leaves  are 
^ranched  rather 

to  various  soils 
i  the  name  Im- 
Js  and  groves, 
iriy  well  In  the 
tes  it  has  also 
Its  regarding  it 
•ience  with  ref- 
Some  of  those 
>n  the  slopes  of 
rass  should  do 

Jut  more  espec- 
her  grass  prob- 
ipen  groves,  but 
much  given  to 
is  may  be  par- 
raised  for  hay 
ir  is  sometimes 
he  aftermath  is 

neadow,  for  the 
I  to  the  stems; 
uily  twowepks 
ss,  and  it  con- 
frosts  come  in 
f  summer  than 
conditions  are 
I  grown  on  the 

loam  soils,  free 


V     fft^titMitfi  a*A%AAM  ^«MiWtv  t* 

•     FlQ.  1.    Orcbabd  Obabs. 


]f)       Grassis,  Clov^fi,  Field  Roots,  torag*  and  Fodder  Plantt. 


't 


I 


I  I- 


<i.: 


In  texture  and  (airly  porous  In  character.  The  subsoil  should  be  med- 
ium both  as  regards  texture  and  moisture.  It  will  not  thrive  en  poor, 
light  soils,  on  gravels  or  on  lands  naturally  wet  or  undralned.  It  will 
grow  fairly  well  on  clays  but  not  nearly  so  freely  as  on  rich  loams. 
The  practice  Is  more  common  of  sowing  orchard  grass  In  the  spring 
than  at  any  other  season,  and  where  the  winters  are  severe  It  cannot  be 
sown  later  with  safety,  but  In  moist  regions  with  mild  winters  It  can  be 
sown  early  In  August.  It  may  be  seeded  by  itself  or  along  with  a  crop 
of  grain.  When  sown  by  Itself  the  seed  may  be  scattered  broadcast  or 
put  In  with  the  grain  drill.  If  sown  with  the  grain  drill  no  further  cov- 
ering would  be  required,  but  when  scattered  broadcast  It  should  b«  cov. 
ered  to  a  fair  depth  in  prairie  soils,  and  to  a  less  depth  in  soils  more 
stiff  in  texture.  It  has  been  claimed  that  as  many  as  twenty-eight 
pounds  of  seed  or  two  bushels  per  acre  are  necessary  if  orchard  grass  is 
grown  by  itself.  When  sown  as  a  part  of  a  mixture  for  meadow  or  for 
permanent  pasture,  only  a  few  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  are  required.  In 
a  meadow  this  grass  should  accompany  the  common  red  clover,  as  they 
are  ready  for  harvesting  about  the  same  time.  But  orchard  grass  is  not 
very  well  suited  for  being  grown  In  a  meadow,  owing  to  the  tendency 
which  It  seems  to  ppssess  to  crowd  out  other  grasses. 

In  localities  where  orchard  grass  will  grow  freely  along  with  blue 
grass  and  white  clover,  the  three  make  an  excellent  and  durable  perma- 
nent pasture.  The  quantity  of  seed  to  be  sown  would  depend  largely 
on  the  proportions  of  the  other  varieties  wanted.  But  as  both  blue 
grass  and  white  clover  seem  able  eventually  to  occupy  the  ground  to 
the  virtual  exclusion  of  the  orchard  grass  a  liberal  seeding  of  the  latter 
should  be  used. 

When  grown  for  hay  .orchard  grass  should  be  cut  when  in  early  bloom. 
If  allowed  to  pass  this  stage  it  soon  becomes  woody  and  unpalatable. 
It  is  easily  cured,  and  care  should  be  taken  to  rake  It  as  soon  as  ready. 
When  it  gets  too  dry  it  Incomes  woody  and  is  not  relished  by  live  stock. 
If  a  crop  of  seed  Is  wanted,  the  plan  Is  sometimes  adopted  of  cutting  the 
orchard  grass  with  the  binder.  The  machine  is  set  to  cut  the  grass  high 
to  avoid  gathering  the  mass  of  foliage  which  covers  the  ground  for 
some  distance  above  the  surface. 

This  grass  is  well  worthy  of  a  trial  In  the  Northwest.  But  it  should 
be  sown  here  in  small  areas  until  more  has  been  learned  of  its  adapt- 
ability.   Two  methods  pf  trying  it  may  be  outlined.  ■  First,  It  may  be 


oulJ  be  mej- 
ulve  en  poor, 
lined.  It  will 
1  rich  lo«ms. 
In  the  spring 
e  It  cannot  bt 
Iters  It  can  b« 
iR  with  a  crop 
1  broadcast  or 

0  further  cov- 
ihould  be  cov. 

In  soils  more 

1  twenty-eight 
chard  grass  Is 
neadow  or  for 
i  required.  In 
:lover,  as  they 
rd  grass  Is  not 
I  the  tendency 

>ng  with  blue 
urable  perma> 
epend  largely 
as  both  blue 
the  ground  to 
g  of  the  latter 

n  early  bloom. 
I  unpalatable, 
soon  as  ready. 
I  by  live  stock, 
of  cutting  the 
the  grass  high 
he  ground  for 

But  it  should 
d  of  its  adapt' 
irst,  it  may  be 


CulUvated  Gratm  and  Clovtrs, 


17 


sown  thinly  In  groves  free  from  underwood,  in  the  very  early  spring, 
and  second,  it  may  be  sown  by  itself  at  the  same  season,  on  a  well  pre- 
pared plot  of  ground  somewhat  limited  In  extent. 

Meadow  Feacue.- Meadow  fescue  (/Vs/ma  firaUMiis)  is  a  peren- 
nial and  lll<c  nearly  nil  the  members  of  the  fescue  family,  It  Is  hardy 
and  well  able  to  retain  Its  hold  upon  the  soil.  Sometimes  it  Is  called 
Handail  grass,  and  it  is  not  infrequently  mistaken  for  tail  meadow  fes- 
cue, to  which  it  bears  no  little  resemblance.  It  does  not  grow  quite  so 
tail  as  timothy,  but  It  stools  out  well,  and  furnishes  pasture  or  fodder 
fine  in  character,  rather  than  coarse. 

Although  probably  a  native  of  Europe,  this  grass  grows  well  In  all 
the  Middle  States,  and  in  those  to  the  north  so  far  as  it  has  been  tried, 
but  its  value  for  the  Northwest  has  not  yet  been  fully  ascertained.  In 
Ontario  it  grows  very  well,  and  also  In  the  Province  of  Quebec. 

Meadow  fescue  Is  a  very  hardy  plant,  a  most  persistent  grower, 
produces  a  fair  amount  of  aftermath  and  is  long  lived.  Its  long  fibrous 
roots  enable  It  to  withstand  drought  well.  Properly  speaking  It  may 
be  termed  a  midsummer  grass,  but  It  ripens  quite  as  soon  as  timothy. 
It  is  much  relished  by  live  stock  whether  used  as  a  pasture  or  as  hay. 
Meadow  fescue  is  very  well  suited  to  a  wide  range  of  soils,  for  Instance 
loams,  clays  and  gravels,  not  too  open  in  texture.  It  Is  proving  Itself 
one  of  the  best  adapted  to  American  conditions  of  any  member  of  the 
fescue  family,  if  not  Indeed  the  best.  In  strong,  deep,  low  lying  soils 
it  grows  very  freely,  but  on  average,  araole.  upland  soils  It  also  seems 
to  do  well. 

It  Is  not  usual  to  grow  this  grass  by  Itself  unless  to  procure  seed 
from  It.  It  may  be  grown  In  meadows,  but  only  in  those  which  are  to 
be  cut  for  hay  for  a  number  of  years  successively,  since  it  takes  rr.eaiicw 
fescue  some  considerable  time  to  establish  Itself.  It  does  not  therefore 
reach  the  highest  stage  of  growth  until  a  year  or  more  after  It  has  been 
sown.  If  sown  in  meadows  It  should  be  grown  along  with  timothy. 
Thb  grass  Is  useful  in  permanent  pastures,  and  Is  more  commonly 
grown  In  them  than  in  any  other  way.  The  seed  weighs  IS  pounds 
per  bushel  and  when  sown  to  produce  seed  probably  not  less  than  30 
pounds  or  two  bushels  would  be  required  per  acre.  In  appearance  the 
seed  bears  a  close  resemblance  to  that  of  perennial  rye  grass. 

When  permanent  pastures  are  laid  down  in  the  Northwest,  meadow 
fescue  should  be  one  of  the  grasses  of  which  these  should  be  composed- 


! 


II      ap^tses,  CUwn,  h'itU  Roott.  For«g«  «Htt  FotUtr  PUntt. 

Buf»mort«pf«lyWiy  of  proving  lUadaptablllty  woulJ  be  to  ww  It 
by  Itself  on  a  plot  of  well  prepared  toll. 

Tall  0«t  OriM.— Tall  oat  grass  (Avtna  tlatior)  Is  also  known  at 
false  oat  grass.  French  rye  grass  and  evergreen  grass.  It  Is  probably 
InJiuenous  to  Europe,  but  has  found  a  more  congenial  home  In  some 
portions  of  the  United  States,  more  especially  In  'hose  states  to  the  west 
and  south.  It  can  also  be  grown  In  good  form  In  the  New  England 
states  and  Ontario,  hence  It  Is  possible  that  the  distribution  of  this 
grass  will  yet  cover  nearly  all  parts  of  the  Republic. 

Tall  oat  grass  as  the  name  Indicates  grows  up  high,  sometimes  as 
high  as  six  feet,  but  ordinarily  It  does  not  reach  half  that  height.  It 
Is  a  hardy  perennial,  leafy  In  Its  habit  of  growth,  and  when  out  In  head 
bears  considerable  resemblance  to  the  common  oat.  In  climates  that 
are  measurably  moist.  It  Is  not  difficult  to  establish  this  grass  when 
sown  on  congenial  soils,  as  Its  growth  Is  both  rapid  and  strong.  It 
makes  a  vigorous  early  growth,  and  also  comes  on  again  later  In  the 
season,  but  It  does  not  furnish  nearly  so  much  autumn  forage  as  or- 
chard grass.  It  produces  a  large  crop  of  hay,  but  Its  feeding  value  Is 
not  considered  so  good  as  that  of  timothy. 

Tall  oat  grass  will  grow  on  a  great  variety  of  soils,  as  It  Is  a  gross 
feeder.  The  roots  strike  both  downward  and  laterally.  It  makes  good 
progress  on  medium  soils.  On  clays  even  and  on  soils  over-dry.  It  will 
make  a  more  vigorous  growth  than  many  other  kinds  of  grass.  Poor, 
thin  lands,  or  those  which  arc  wet  are  not  suitable  for  growing  tall  oat 

grass. 

This  grass  may  be  sown  alone,  as  a  part  of  a  mixture  for  meadow, 
and  as  one  factor  In  forming  a  permanent  pasture,  but  It  Is  perhaps  bet- 
ter  adapted  for  hay  than  for  pasture.  When  sown  by  Itself  two  bushels 
of  seed  are  recommended  for  an  acre.  Fourteen  pounds  of  the  seed  In 
the  chaff  make  a  bushel.  The  seed  Is  sown  broadcast,  whatever  the 
end  may  be  for  which  It  is  sown,  and  It  requires  covering  with  the  har- 
row. Where  the  seasons  are  long  a  crop  of  hay  is  sometimes  obtained 
the  first  season.  When  grown  In  a  meadow  It  may  accompany  red 
clover,  as  the  two  ripen  at  the  same  time.  It  must  be  cut  promptly  for 
either  hay  or  for  the  seed.  When  being  cured  for  hay  It  Is  very  easily 
Injured  by  overmuch  sunlight  or  by  rain.  The  seed  shells  quite  readily 
when  ripe.  The  binder  can  be  utIIUed  with  much  advantage  In  reap- 
ing this  crop  for  the  seed. 


il 


4tr  /Va»/i^ 

jIJ  be  to  sow  It 

s  also  known  at 
.  It  Is  p7obably 
il  home  In  some 
states  to  the  west 
le  New  EnRland 
itrlbutlon  of  this 

ih,  sometimes  as 

'  that  helKht.    It 

when  out  In  head 

In  climates  that 

this  grass  when 

1  and  stront(.    It 

gain  later  In  the 

mn  forage  as  or- 

feeding  value  Is 

s,  as  it  Is  a  gross 
f.  It  makes  good 
Is  over-dry,  It  will 
1  of  grass.  Poor, 
'  growing  tail  oat 

;ture  for  meadow, 
\  It  Is  perhaps  bet. 
'  itself  two  bushels 
ids  of  the  seed  in 
Bst,  whatever  the 
ring  with  the  har- 
metimes  obtained 
ly  accompany  red 
B  cut  promptly  for 
y  It  is  very  easily 
ihelis  quite  readily 
dvantage  In  reap- 


CuithmM  GrMm  «M,t  Claivrt. 


t« 


Intormation  Is  very  Kant  with  regard  to  tht  rowth  of  tall  (Wtiran 
In  the  Northwest.  Il  could  he  mnrr  readily  tried  at  first  as  the  sole  crop 
grown  on  Jhr  ijround  for  the  season.     GochI.  clean,  moist  land  should 

m""'^        T^l*!t  '"''"'  '"•'•'  "•  ""•  '^ "'J^  "« »'">'«  Interested. 
MMdow  Foxtoll.  -Meadow  f«xf.,l.  (.//../,.«,•«,  /»,„/.«,/,)  |,  , 

timothy  but  has  a  smaller  and  softer  head.  Is  more  leafy  In  character 
and  springs  up  quickly  when  pastured  or  mown.  Although  indigenous 
to  turope  it  is  now  found  In  North  Africa,  Western  Asia  and  America. 

.„  .K  *  mT  '"'"i""'  "  ^'"^'  '^"''"'"^  °'  '"'y  ''""age  in  nroportlon 
to  the  stalk,  hence  It  is  much  relished  by  live  stock.    It  Is  among  (he 

a  month  earlier  han  timothy.  Like  orchard  grass  It  will  thrive  well 
under  trees  and  in  shady  places,  but  It  will  also  grow  when  exposed 

timothy  """•'""'•    •'  "  "'^  '°  '•  '^'"  -""^^  hardy'th^n 

♦h.n'^,"''"'^  '?*""  '».^"«''«J«^'»«d  '«l«t'vfly  for  permanent  pastures 
than  for  meadows.  When  sown  in  meadows,  other  grasses  which 
mature  more  quickly  are  apt  to  crowd  meadow  foxtail  which  does  not 
reach  its  best  until  three  or  four  years  after  it  has  been  sown.  The 
seed  Is  not  produced  so  freely  as  that  of  some  other  kinds  of  grass,  and 

londiS'""  '""'"'^"  *^''"  '^""'''  '"'  P'"^'""y  ""''"  «»»'" 

In  ^\!^7  T^""  ''.f«?'"'  *"  ^"P'  '"''  »«"•''•  ""<  '«  «'»«  flourishes 
n  moist  climates  on  stiff  loams  and  clays.    It  cannot  IK-c  in  a  water- 

logged  soli  and  yet  It  is  well  suited  to  land  subject  to  irrigation.  It  is 
but  ll-adapted  to  light,  dry  soils  lacking  in  plant  food  and  In  power  to 
retain  moisture. 

^..^J!^A^V^''^  ''"'*""  '','^*"  "'""'= '''""  *^°  <"  'hree  bushels  of 
seed  would  be  necessary.  The  seed  is  sown  in  the  chaff.  It  only 
weighs  about  five  pounds  per  bushel.    It  is  common  to  sow  it  by  hand 

rtismird'Li!h''K''':K  ''""^-  ^"^^  '°^"  •"  ''"•"-«="»  p^^^^" 

It  is  mixed  with  the  other  coarse  seeds  and  sown  along  with  them 
I.  iif  rf.!  !""  as  regards  the  growing  of  this  grass  In  the  Northwest, 
is  llmi  ed.  hence  but  little  can  be  said  as  to  its  adaptability.    But  we 
know  in  reference  to  It  that  It  Is  hardy  and  that  It  grows  early  in  the 
season,  therefore  it  is  worthy  of  a  trial. 


■^p 


'  i  I 


*  i 


II 


I  t 


.IM 


10       Onutft,  C/tH'f".  fi'^'f  A'. .'/.    /  'r.ifft  am/  l-o.i.h*^  Vhnh, 


R«<l  Top.  Hfld  U\p(.lj;r0tti»  vu/garis)  I*  of  many  v«rlttlM.  It 
liilw  knownby  othtr  nam**  more  or  l»»t  UkjI  In  lh«lr  •pplUatlon. 
Thit  V»%%  l»  founj  In  ont  or  lh«  o»»i«r  of  Itt  munv  form*  In  OMfl/  iH 
parUof  Ihfconllntntcapiiblfof  proJudriKlowlandurMiM.  Althn.yfi 
It  I*  well  aJapttJ  to  the  coriJI'luui  In  all  ttalM  In  whUh  the  climatt  i« 
mllJ,  an  for  Inatanct  Georgia  anj  Tennaaaet.  It  aliwi  lt««  an  Important 
mlwlon  t>»fore  It  In  tha  Northwett.  wh«r«  It  ha»  glv«n  th«  mo«t«ncour- 

aglnK  result*. 

Red  top  Is  of  a  aomawhat  aknder  habit  of  growth.  If  has  rather 
fin*  follauf  and  throw*  out  a  alender  open  and  spreadlrm  head.  A  red 
lop  meadow  when  matured  or  "  i>en  It  I*  approach',  .«  maturity  ha*  « 
tInKe  that  may  be  defined  «»  red.'l^h  brown,  hence  probablv  the  orJKln 
of  the  name.  The  root  stocki  push  throuKh  the  soil  and  form  fresh 
plants  so  that  when  there  U  only  a  thin  seeding  of  the  plant*  at  first. 
Ihey  soon  spread  nnd  take  possession  of  the  soil,  unless  when  growing 
along  with  some  variety  of  grass  that  U  peculiarly  aggrflsslve.  Thii 
grass  grows  more  slowly  than  some  other  grasses.  It  will  furnish  pas- 
ture or  hay  at  may  be  desired.  In  fcading  value  It  takes  a  place  cer- 
talnlv  not  less  than  medium. 

Hed  top  thrives  naturallv  on  a  molat  soil,  too  moist  for  growing  up- 
land grasses  upon  It  successfully.  It  will  not  grow  well  upon  hlnh.  dry 
solla.  This  grass  will  usually  grow  however  on  lands  that  will  produce 
timothy,  but  timothy  may  be  destroyed  by  water  on  soils  where  red 
top  will  continue  to  live  and  flourish. 

When  sown  alone  It  has  been  recommended  that  from  two  to  three 
bushels  of  seed,  that  Is  to  say  twenty-four  to  thlrty^x  pounds  should 
be  used  per  acre.  It  may  be  sown  by  Itself  or  with  some  nurse  crop 
adapted  to  moist  soils,  such  as  barley  fo'  i  i»t«*<c«.  It  may  frequently 
be  sown  with  t'mothy.  as  they  ripen  abou'  u.  s'^r.ie  time.  And  It  It 
often  used  In  the  mixture  whenpermar  t  t^t'.u^r  irebelngl..  i  l<  .  n. 
Hed  top  stands  pasturing  well,  but  ru  >'  i.  »  '  w  years  If  allowed 
to  ripen  Its  seeds  from  year  to  year.  It  may  be  sown  In  sloughs  and 
wet  places  not  yet  dry  enough  for  the  plow.  In  such  places  only  a  few 
pounds  of  seed  per  acre  are  needed  and  the  seed  should  be  sown  as 
soon  as  the  work  can  be  easily  done.  When  purchasing  seed  prefer- 
ence should  be  given  to  what  Is  termed  the  "fancy  or  solid,"  that  Is  to 
say,  the  clean  sred  rather  than  seed  In  the  chaff  as  It  Is  Impossible  to 
determine  really  the  amount  of  pure  seed  which  the  latter  contains. 


kL 


varittit*.  It 
ir  applkAtloii. 

In  nfl«rl/  tH 
ft.    Al»>">y;> 

the  CitltMU  it 

an  ImpurUnl 
t  mo»l  ancour* 

It  ha»  rnthrr 
hmJ.  A  r«J 
lalurlty,  hat  a 
blv  the  orl^ln 
Ml]  (iirm  lre»li 
planl»  nt  first, 
when  growing 
r««»»lv«.  Thl» 
11  turnlth  pav 
)»  a  place  t.rr' 

orgrcwIxKup' 
upoiihluh,  dry 
lat  will  produce 
kolls  where  red 

)m  two  to  three 
pounds  tliould 
)me  nurse  crop 
nay  frequently 
me.  And  It  ll 
ifingU'  1  l(  .  n. 
ears  If  allowed 
In  slougli!!  and 
aces  only  a  (ew 
lid  be  sown  as 
ng  seed  prefer- 
ilid,"  that  Is  to 
s  Impossible  to 
er  contains. 


Fio.  X   Austrian  Hromi  Orahs. 


(OmiMui  Inertmu,, 


22       Gt asses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodtlrr  Plants. 

Wild  llmoihy.—SNMWmoWxyiMuhli'nbcrj^iaglomerata)  is  also 
called  drop  seed  grass.  This  grass  which  bears  no  iittle  resembiance 
to  timofhy  Is  Indigenous  to  the  Northwest.  It  is  one  of  the  limited 
number  of  the  wild  varieties  of  the  region  named,  which  gives  promise 
of  profitable  returns  from  cultivation.  The  heads  rather  resemble  those 
of  orchard  grass  than  timothy. 

This  grass  has  been  very  successfully  grown  for  the  past  five  years 
at  the  Experimental  Farm  at  Brandon,  Manitoba.  During  the  past  four 
years  nearly  two  tons  of  hay  per  acre  have  been  harvested  each  year. 
The  manager  of  the  farm,  Mr.  S.  A,  Bedford,  speaks  of  it  favorably.  It 
makes  good  hay  though  Its  properties  for  pasture  do  not  seem  to  have 
been  determined  as  yet.  This  grass  is  adapted  to  average  prairie  soils, 
but  it  will  not  do  so  well  on  those  dry  and  hungry.  It  yields  seed 
freely.  The  seed  weighs  about  twenty  pounds  per  bushel,  and  from 
five  to  ten  pounds  of  the  seed  are  used  per  acre.  But  the  heavier  seed- 
ing is  rather  preferred. 

In  preparing  the  soil  it  has  been  customary  to  sumi.ier  fallow  it 
and  then  to  sow  the  seed  from  August  1st  to  August  15th,  when  a  crop 
of  the  grass  may  be  obtained  the  following  year.  It  may  also  be  sown 
early  In  the  spring  along  with  a  nurse  crop  thinly  seeded.  This  grass 
should  be  tried  in  all  parts  of  this  country. 

Austrian  Brome  Qraas.— Austrian  brome  grass  {Browns  incr- 
mus)  (see  Fig.  2)  is  a  native  of  Europe,  and  one  of  the  most  promising 
cultivated  grasses  that  has  yet  been  tried  on  the  prairies  of  the  west. 
It  is  very  hardy,  enduring  very  low  temperatures  in  winter,  and  pos- 
sessing great  power  to  grow  in  dry  climates,  under  adverse  conditions. 
It  Is  well  adapted  to  produce  either  hay  or  pasture.  This  grass  comes 
up  quickly  in  the  spring  and  makes  a  rapid  growth,  and  when  it  has 
been  cut  for  hay  the  aftermath  is  also  abundant  unless  the  weather 
should  be  abnormally  dry.  It  sends  numerous  root  stocks  through  the 
soil  to  form  fresh  plants,  hence  it  will  probably  require  to  be  ploughed 
up  after  having  been  mowed  or  pastured  for  a  limited  term  of  years. 
The  foliage  is  abundant  on  Austrian  brome  grass,  and  it  produces  seed 
profusely.  Mr.  A.  MacKay,  Superintendent  of  the  Experimental  Farm, 
at  Indian  Head,  Assiniboia,  obtained  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of 
seed  from  one-fourth  of  an  acre  in  1893.  The  seed  weighs  14  pounds 
per  bushel.  More  than,  two  tons  per  acre  have  been  harvested  during 
each  of  the  past  three  years  at  the  aforementioned  farm. 


K 


saa 


rs^TA. 


y  Plants. 

'terata)  is  also 
e  resemblance 
of  the  limited 
gives  promise 
resemble  those 

past  five  years 
1(4  the  past  four 
ted  each  year, 
favorably,  it 
seem  to  have 
;e  prairie  soils, 
It  yields  seed 
ihel,  and  from 
!  heavier  seed- 

imer  fallow  It 
1,  when  a  crop 
y  also  be  sown 
d.    This  Krass 

{Brotitus  titer- 
(lost  promising 
es  of  the  west, 
inter,  and  pos- 
irse  conditions, 
lis  grass  comes 
>d  when  It  has 
is  the  weather 
;ks  through  the 
to  be  ploughed 
term  of  years. 
t  produces  seed 
rimental  Farm, 
fifty  pounds  of 
ighs  14  pounds 
irvested  during 


Cultivated  Grasses  and  Clovers. 


23 


Austrian  brome  grass  seems  well  suited  to  the  soils  usually  found 
on  the  prairie.  In  moist  climates  it  may  be  too  aggressive  to  grow  with 
other  grasses,  and  this  property  also  may  exclude  It  from  permanent 
pastures.  But  for  growing  on  dry  soils  it  seems  to  have  few  equals. 
The  ground  is  prepared  for  this  grass  in  the  same  way  as  for  wild 
timothy  previously  discussed.  Fifteen  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  are 
sufficient.  Austrian  brome  grass  should  be  tried  by  every  farmer  in  the 
Northwest.  A  plant  with  properties  so  valuable  ca.inot  be  obtained  too 
soon. 

Clovers. 

The  clovers  are  of  inestimable  value  to  tne  agriculturist  wherever 
they  can  be  successfully  grown.  They  furnish  excellent  pasture  during 
a  large  poition  of  the  year,  and  they  yield,  a  healthful,  nutritious  and 
valuable  fodder  which  may  be  advantageously  fed  to  any  class  of  live 
stock.  The  roots  of  the  different  varieties  of  clover  go  more  or  less 
deeply  Into  the  subsoil,  whence  they  obtain  moisture  to  sustain  growth 
In  dry  weather.  They  also  bring  up  plant  food  which  may  be  utilized 
in  growing  crops  unable  to  gather  food  from  tar  below  the  surface  of 
the  soil.  And  when  the  roots  decay  they  furnish  channels  through 
which  the  super-abundant  moisture  may  escape  downwards.  The 
roots  and  rootlets  bring  much  vegetable  matter  to  the  soil.  These  bind 
light  lands  together  and  thus  make  them  less  porous,  and  they  render 
stlrf  clays  more  open  and  frialle.  All  kinds  of  clover  are  peculiarly 
helpful  not  only  In  sustaining  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  but  in  still  further 
Increasing  the  same,  owing  to  the  wonderful  power  which  they  have 
of  absorbing  nitrogen  from  the  air,  and  also  to  the  great  extent  to  which 
they  store  the  same  in  the  soil. 

The  most  valuable  varieties  of  clover  as  yet  grown  upon  this  con- 
tinent Include  the  common  red,  mammoth,  alsike,  lucerne,  white,  crim- 
son and  yellow  varieties. 

Common  or  Medium  Clover — The  common  red  clover  (Tri- 
folium  pratense)  is  so  well  known  that  a  detailed  description  of  It  is 
not  necessary.  It  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  useful  plants  ever 
given  to  mankind  by  a  beneficlent  Creator.  Ordinarily  it  yields  two 
good  crops  of  hay  during  the  second  season  of  its  growth-,  or  one  crop 
of  hay  and  one  crop  of  seed,  or  one  crop  of  hay  followed  by  several 
months  of  pasturage.  It  will  furnish  pasture  through  the  whole  of  the 
second  season  where  the  same  may  be  required,  but  usually  dies  at  the 


%^ 


24       Grasses,  C/oTt-rx,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

end  of  the  second  yeai  as  it  is  a  biennial,  althouKii  sometimes  under 
very  favorable  conditions  it  may  live  longer  when  not  allowed  to  pro- 
duce seed. 

Clover  will  do  well  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil,  but  better  results 
relatively  are  obtained  when  it  is  grown  on  clay  loams  with  a  subsoi| 
of  clay  not  too  dense,  li  will  grow  satisfactorily  on  stiff  clays,  but  on 
these  in  dry  seasons  there  is  difficulty  in  getting  a  "catch"  of  the  seed. 
In  such  seasons  it  will  also  pine  and  die  on  porous  sands  after  the 
plants  have  made  a  start. 

A  bare  fallow,  a  corn  crop  or  a  root  crop  mai<e  an  excellent  prepa- 
ration for  clover  seed  to  be  sown  the  following  spring  on  spongy  prairie 
soils,  for  then  the  land  is  clean,  dense  and  better  able  to  retain  mois- 
ture.   But  in  such  instances  it  should  not  be  ploughed  in  the  spring. 

Clover  may  be  sown  by  the  same  methods  as  timothy,  and  the 
conditions  which  govern  the  amount  of  seed  to  be  used  are  very  similar. 
When  grown  by  itself  from  eight  to  twelve  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  are 
commonly  used,  but  if  it  is  sown  as  a  green  manure  even  a  larger  quan- 
tity may  be  utilized  with  advantage.  It  may  be  sown  alone,  but  more 
generally  it  Is  put  into  the  soil  along  with  some  other  kind  of  crop,  such 
as  wheat,  rye,  barley  and  oafs.  The  object  should  be  to  sow  it  in  the 
early  spring  and  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  winter  season  is  over,  it 
should  never  be  sown  in  the  autumn  in  northern  latitudes  as  it  is  then 
almost  certain  to  be  killed  by  the  cold.  When  the  ground  is  in  a  honey- 
combed state  as  is  sometimes  the  case  in  the  early  spring  or  just  after  a 
light  shower  has  fallen,  the  conditions  for  sowing  clover  are  very  favor- 
able. In  the  Northwest  the  best  results  will  probably  be  obtained  from 
sowing  the  seed  on  a  crop  of  rye  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  dry  enough 
In  the  spring,  and  then  harrowing  It  with  a  light  harrow.  In  moist 
climates  and  on  spring  sown  cereals  it  will  probably  suffice  to  cover  the 
seed  with  the  roller,  but  In  the  Northwest  it  should  ordinarily  be  cov- 
ered by  allowing  the  seed  to  fall  before  the  drill  tubes  when  sowing 
grain  or  by  using  a  light  harrow  when  the  seed  has  been  sown  on  the 
surface. 

The  common  red  clover  Is  often  grown  for  the  seed,  and  it  may  be 
remarked  in  passing  that  Minnesota  grown  clover  seed  takes  high  rank 
in  the  various  seed  markets.  When  so  grown  it  is  common  to  cut  the 
first  crop  for  hay  when  it  has  reached  early  full  bloom.  The  second 
crop  is  then  cut  for  seed.    Sometimes  the  clover  is  pastured  until  that 


t,^ 


r  Plants. 

metimes  under 
Mowed  to  pro- 

t  better  results 
with  a  subsoil 
f  clays,  but  on 
li"  of  the  seed, 
iands  after  the 

(cellent  prepa- 
sponjjy  prairie 
to  retain  mois- 
n  the  spring, 
lothy,  and  the 
re  very  similar, 
ed  per  acre  are 
)  a  larger  quan- 
lone,  but  mure 
id  of  crop,  such 
I  sow  it  in  the 
son  is  over.  It 
>s  as  it  is  then 
d  is  in  a  honey- 
%  or  just  after  a 
are  very  favor- 
:  obtained  from 
is  dry  enough 
row.  In  moist 
ice  to  cover  the 
inarily  be  cov- 
1  when  sowing 
n  sown  on  the 

and  It  may  be 
akes  high  rank 
mon  to  cut  the 
I.  The  second 
ured  until  that 


Cultivated  O'/nsu-.f  and  CloTrrs. 


2'; 

season  arrives  when,  had  it  not  been  so  pastured,  the  he.ads  would  form. 
The  pasturing  then  ceases  and  a  crop  of  seed  is  grown.  By  managing 
thus  the  clover  midge  may  be  bafilcd.  The  seed  is  ready  for  harvest- 
ing whe.i  two-thirds  of  the  heads  are  ripe.  A  machine  is  used  in  cut- 
ling  the  crop  which  leaves  the  clover  in  bunches  where  It  lies  until 
re.idy  for  being  stacked  or  threshed.  From  two  to  three  bushels  per 
acre  is  an  aver.ige  yield  but  sometimes  much  more  than  the  quantity 
named  Is  produced.  The  seed  is  threshed  by  a  machine  termed  a 
"huller."  Where  such  machines  are  not  available  the  farmer  can  beat 
out  tiie  seed  with  a  flail  and  sow  in  the  chaff,  bu^  of  course  such  seed 
would  not  be  of  any  use  for  marketing. 

The  common  red  clover  is  now  most  successfully  grown  in  manv 
parts  of  the  Northwest,  where  at  one  time  it  was  supposed  it  could  not 
be  raised.  It  may  be  mentionod  here  without  hazard  and  without  paus- 
ing to  give  the  reasons  that  clover  will  yet  be  grown  with  favorable  re- 
sults much  further  to  the  north  and  west  than  at  present,  and  that  It 
will  be  grown  with  increased  success  as  the  soil  becomes  older  where 
a  judicious  system  of  farming  Is  pursued.  Drought  at  that  season  of 
the  year  when  the  young  plants  have  not  yet  made  much  growth  and 
while  their  tap  roots  have  not  yet  gone  down  beyond  the  influences  of 
surface  evaporation  is  the  great  obstacle  In  the  way  of  getting  a  good 
"stand"  of  clover,  hence  the  importance  of  early  sowing  and  of  prepar- 
ing the  soil  by  previous  cultivation  to  resist  the  influences  of  drought. 

Mammoth  Clover.— Mammoth  clover  {Tri/olium  /iratmse  or 
Medium)  bears  a  somewhat  close  resemblance  to  the  common  red  variety 
in  the  shape  of  the  leaves  and  stalks,  and  in  the  shape  and  color  of  the 
head.  It  is  of  much  stronger  growth  however  than  the  latter,  has  a 
larger  stem  in  proportion,  grows  considerably  taller,  possesses  larger 
heads  and  furnishes  a  much  greater  quantity  of  fodder.  This  clover 
also  ripens  some  two  or  three  weeks  later,  and  produces  but  little  after- 
math, whether  it  Is  grown  for  the  seed  or  for  hay.  It  also  sends  its 
roots  down  more  deeply  into  the  soil. 

Mammoth  clover  is  therefore  more  valuable  than  the  common  red 
variety,  first,  when  used  as  a  green  manure,  owing  to  the  dense  mass 
of  vegetable  matter  which  it  furnishes  both  in  the  tops  and  in  the  roots; 
second,  on  prairie  soils  which  do  not  produce  a  strong  growth  of  the 
small  variety,  and  third,  on  stiff  clays  which  do  not  grow  the  mam- 
moth variety  so  lu.\uriantly  as  to  make  the  fodder  coarse.    It  is  less 


! 


26       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

valuable,  first,  in  moist  climates  where  the  aftermath  is  needed  for  pas- 
ture; second,  where  both  a  crop  of  hay  and  a  yield  of  seed  are  sought 
the  same  season,  for  the  mammoth  clover  will  only  stand  one  cuttlnR 
in  the  year,  and  third,  on  strong  soils  on  which  the  large  variety  would 
grow  too  coarse  to  make  good  fodder. 

Mammoth  clover  is  therefore  adapted  to  the  same  kinds  of  soil  as 
the  common  red  variety,  with  the  difference  that  preference  should  be 
given  to  the  large  variety  wherever  the  small  kind  Is  deficient  In  bulk 
of  forage  or  fodder.  It  Is  also  suited  to  the  sa'iie  climates  and  its  place 
In  the  rotation  isthe^ame.  The  preparation  of  the  ground  Is  similar 
and  the  same  modes  of  sowing  may  be  adopted.  The  amounts  of 
seed  will  also  be  nearly  the  same,  but  a  little  more  of  the  mammoth 
variety  may  be  used.  Mammoth  clover  and  timothy  ripen  about 
the  same  time,  hence  they  may  be  profitably  grown  together  for  hay, 
wh^n  the  clover  is  not  so  thick  and  strong  as  to  overshadow  the  tim- 
othy. 

When  mammoth  clover  Is  grown  for  seed  It  should  be  sown  alone; 
that  Is  to  say,  no  other  kind  of  clover  or  grass  should  be  sown  along 
with  it.  It  IS  ready  for  cutting  when  two-thirds  of  the  heads  are  ripe. 
It  is  harvested  and  threshed  In  the  same  way  as  the  small  variety.  In 
sections  where  the  growth  will  probably  be  rank,  It  may  be  well  to 
pasture  the  clover  for  two  or  three  weeks  in  the  early  spring.  Another 
plan  would  be  to  run  the  mower  over  It  when  It  Is  a  few  Inches  high. 
The  portion  of  the  crop  which  is  then  cut  will  furnish  a  good  mulch 
in  dry  weather.  An  average  crop  of  seed  Is  from  two  to  three  bushels 
per  acre. 

Al5ike  Clover.— Alsike  clover  {Trifolium  hybridum)  Is  of 
European  origin.  It  Is  a  perennial,  and  is  one  of  the  most  hardy  and 
vigorous  of  all  the  varieties  of  clover  as  yet  Introduced  into  America. 
It  usually  grows  to  the  height  of  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches,  but  in 
congenial  soils  and  under  favorable  climatic  conditions  It  attains  a 
height  considerably  greater.  It  Is  fine  In  Its  habits  of  growth,  and  has 
a  large  proportion  of  leaves,  hence  its  excellence  as  a  food  for  live  stock 
when  used  as  fodder,  more  especially  for  sheep  and  lambs.  The  heads 
are  numerous  but  small,  and  the  blossoms  are  a  beautiful  delicate 
crimson. 

Alsike  clover  Is  rapidly  gaining  In  favor  all  over  the  northern  half 
of  this  continent.    It  seems  singularly  well  adapted  to  the  conditions  of 


W  Plants. 

I  needed  for  pas- 
seed  are  sought 
and  one  cutting 
ge  variety  would 

kinds  of  soil  as 
rence  should  be 
leficlent  In  bulk 
tes  and  Its  place 
ound  is  similar 
rhe  amounts  of 
f  the  mammoth 
hy  ripen  about 
ogether  for  hay, 
shadow  the  tim- 

I  be  sown  alone; 
be  sown  along 
!  heads  are  ripe, 
nail  variety.  In 
may  be  well  to 
spring.  Another 
ew  Inches  high, 
h  a  good  mulch 
to  three  bushels 

•bridum)  is  of 
nost  hardy  and 
d  Into  America. 
>n  inches,  but  In 
ons  it  attains  a 
growth,  and  has 
)od  for  live  stock 
nbs.  The  heads 
eautlful  delicate 

le  northern  half 
the  conditions  of 


=1 


i 


Fia.  a.   AiiSiKB  oa  Swedish  Cluvkb. 


*BlllWIB,tM!>M!li»aa!3)g3ie««>a.< 


growth  In  some  of  the  New  England  States,  In  Ontario,  Canada,  and 
In  some  of  the  Provinces  lying  further  to  the  east.  But  It  will  also 
grow  In  fine  form  In  congenial  situations  westward  from  the  States  and 
Provinces  named  to  the  Pacific.  Although  very  hardy  It  does  not  seem 
well  able  to  withstand  the  winters  of  Manitoba  and  Asslnlbola,  but  in 
all  the  Noithern  and  Northwestern  states  of  the  Union,  alsike  clover 
will  prove  a  valuable  crop,  and  also  In  the  adjoining  states  to  the 
southward. 

This  clover  prefers  damp,  moist,  loam  soils,  but  It  will  also  grow 
fairly  well  In  stiff  clays.  In  the  Northwestern  States  the  best  results 
are  obtained  from  sowing  alsike  clover  on  damp,  moist  bottom  lands, 
but  In  the  states  of  the  Union  and  in  the  Provinces  of  Canada  lying  to 
the  east  'rom  Michigan,  where  the  annual  rainfall  Is  greater,  it  will 
grow  well  on  average  arable  soils,  particularly  on  those  underlaid  with 
a  moderately  porous  subsoil.  When  raised  for  the  seed,  the  lower 
lands  are  not  so  suitable  as  those  somewhat  higher,  as  they  produce  an 
excess  of  growth  In  the  stalk  and  leaf.  This  plant  develops  feebly  on 
light,  sandy  and  grave'ly  soils,  so  much  so  that  it  Is  unwise  to  grow  It 
upon  these. 

The  preparation  of  the  soil  for  alsike  clover  Is  the  same  virtually 
as  for  common  red  clover.  And  the  conditions  which  govern  the  sow- 
ing are  also  very  similar.  It  may  be  sown  with  much  advantage  along 
with  timothy,  for  making  hay,  for  the  reason  first,  that  both  of  these 
crops  are  well  adapted  to  moist  soils,  and  second,  that  they  also  mature 
about  the  same  time.  If  grown  for  seed  It  should  be  grown  alone  as  It 
Is  Impossible  to  separate  alsike  clover  seed  from  timothy  seed,  they  are 
so  nearly  alike  In  size. 

The  time  for  sowing  this  crop  is  the  same  asfor  common  red  clover, 
that  Is,  the  early  spring.  When  grown  for  hay,  along  with  timothy, 
about  three  pounds  of  the  clover  and  six  pounds  of  the  timothy  per  acre 
will  be  found  sufficient.  If  grown  for  the  seed  from  five  to  six  pounds 
may  be  named  as  an  average  quantity.  The  seed  is  sown  with  a  nurse 
crop,  and  barley  will  probably  be  found  the  most  suitable,  as  It  Is 
adapted  to  the  same  kinds  of  soil  as  the  clover.  The  sowing  of  the 
seed  may  be  done  by  hand,  with  a  hand  sower,  or  best  of  all  with  the 
grass  seed  sow.ng  attachment  to  the  grain  drill.  In  the  Northwest  If 
the  seed  is  allowed  to  fall  before  the  grain  tubes,  it  will  be  sufficiently 
covered,  otherwise  It  would  require  a  light  covering  with  the  harrow. 


lier  Plants, 

rio,  Canada,  anJ 
But  It  will  also 
m  the  States  and 
'  it  does  not  seem 
.sslnlbola,  but  In 
on,  alsike  clover 
Ing  states  to  the 

It  will  also  Rrow 
the  best  results 
st  bottom  lands, 
Canada  lyiiiK  to 
Is  greater,  it  will 
se  underlaid  with 
seed,  the  lower 
s  they  produce  an 
veiops  feebly  on 
mwlse  to  grow  It 

e  same  virtually 
govern  the  sow- 
I  advantage  along 
lat  both  of  these 
t  they  also  mature 
p;rown  alone  as  it 
hy  seed,  they  are 

»mmon  red  clover, 
ng  with  timothy, 
e  timothy  per  acre 
ive  to  six  pounds 
iown  with  a  nurse 
suitable,  as  it  is 
lie  sowing  of  the 
St  of  all  with  the 
the  Northwest  If 
'ill  be  sufficiently 
with  the  harrow. 


CuUivateJ  Grasses  ami  Clovers. 


In  states  with  a  moist  climate,  rolling  the  ground  after  the  seed  Is 
sown  would  provide  a  sufficient  covering. 

Alsll<e  clover  is  ready  to  be  cut  for  hay  as  soon  as  it  Is  In  full 
bloom.  It  can  be  cured  more  easily  than  other  kinds  of  clover  pos- 
sessed of  more  stern.  If  harvested  for  seed  the  cutting  should  take 
place  when  two-thirds  of  the  heads  are  ripe.  The  one-third  of  the 
heads  unmatured  would  not  produce  a  larjje  quantity  relatively  of 
seed,  and  If  th.?  cutting  of  the  crop  were  to  be  delayed  until  the  late 
heads  were  matured,  the  early  or  first  ripe  heads  would  break  off 
before  the  crop  was  harvested. 

When  alsike  clover  Is  to  be  reaped  for  seed,  It  would  repay  the 
grower  to  ^o  over  the  field  and  cut  off  the  heads  of  all  the  weeds  likely 
to  mature  before  the  reaping  of  the  crop.  The  mode  of  reaping  is  the 
same  as  for  a  crop  of  red  clover.  As  the  heads  of  alsike  clover  break 
off  very  easily  when  ripe,  much  care  should  be  exercised  in  handlinR 
It.  Some  farmers  prefer  to  cut  It  only  In  the  evening  and  on  into  the 
night  when  the  moonlight  Is  sufficient,  and  they  also  refrain  from 
drawing  and  housing  It  during  the  hot  portion  of  the  day. 

An  average  crop  of  alsike  yields  from  two  to  four  bushels  of  seed 
per  acre,  hence  In  localities  well  adapted  io  growing  seed  It  is  consid- 
ered a  good  paying  crop.  Where  It  Is  only  wanted  for  hay,  timothy 
seed  and  alsike  clover  seed  may  be  obtained  from  a  crop  of  the  two 
grown  together,  as  they  ripen  at  the  same  time,  but  It  would  not  be 
readily  saleable  seed,  as  It  would  be  mixed. 

Alsike  clover  furnishes  a  good  pasture  until  the  season  for  harvest- 
ing. It  does  not  grow  much  at  any  time  subsequent  to  that  period. 
The  aftermath  Is  of  but  little  account  for  pasture.  When  grown  along 
with  timothy  or  other  grasses  for  pasture  It  has  much  power  to  retain 
Its  hold  upon  the  land,  more  especially  If  the  pasturing  has  not  been 
so  close  as  to  prevent  It  from  maturing  some  seeds,  it  Is  also  one  of 
the  best  honey  producing  plants  that  can  be  grown. 

Owing  to  the  many  excellent  qualities  of  alsike  clover,  to  the 
varied  uses  to  which  it  can  be  put,  and  to  Its  marked  adaptability  to 
the  Northwest,  it  should  unquestionably  be  sown  to  a  greater  or  lesser 
extent  by  all  farmers  whose  soils  are  suitable. 

\.VMmt.—VM<xcw{Medicagosativn)  (see  Fig.  4)  is  a  plant  which 
grows  freely  when  once  it  has  been  established.  It  possesses  the 
power  of  retaining  Its  hold  upon  the  land  for  several  years.    The  roots 


!t*aMliMMtiySul^4>ii;A: ' 


30       Grasses,  Clovtrs,  FitU  Roots,  Forngt  and  Fodder  PttHtl, 


go  down  deeply  In  suitable  soils,  hence  lucerne  Is  better  able  to  with* 
stand  the  Influences  of  dry  weather  than  the  other  varieties  of  clover. 
Despite  Its  vigor  when  established,  It  Is  a  delicate  plant  when  yoi-nR, 
and  therefore  more  liable  to  perish  the  first  season  than  other  kinds  of 
clover.  It  Is  rather  Rrown  for  solllnn  and  fodder  uses  than  for  pasture, 
althouuh  under  certain  conditions  It  furnishes  excellent  pasture.  Lu- 
cerne Is  better  adapted  to  mild  than  to  cold  climates,  hence  It  Is  exten- 
sively grown  In  southern  Burope  and  the  warmer  and  dryer  portions  of 
the  United  States  westward  from  the  Mississippi  River,  it  will  thrive 
fairly  well  in  New  England,  In  the  Middle  States  and  In  Ontario,  Can- 
ada, but  In  countries  where  red  clover  will  >{row  rapidly  the  latter  Is 
commonly  considered  a  more  profitable  plant  than  lucerne,  as  It  Is 
much  better  adapted  to  a  short  rotation.  The  precise  value  of  lucerne 
In  the  Northwest  has  not  yet  been  determined,  but  In  some  states,  as 
for  Instance  Montana,  It  grows  well.  This  clover  should  be  carefully 
tried  In  all  parts  of  the  Northwest  where  the  soils  are  at  all  suitable, 
as,  owing  to  Its  ability  to  grow  In  dry  weather.  It  will  prove  valuable 
In  the  areas  named  wherever  It  can  be  grown.  In  some  countries 
lucerne  is  more  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  alfalfa. 

Lucerne  Is  admirably  adapted  for  soiling  uses,  as  It  will  furnish 
two  cuttings  a  year,  and  In  some  instances  as  many  as  four.  On  irri- 
gated soils  even  a  larger  number  of  crops  have  been  obtained  In  one 
season.  It  does  not  stand  close  cropping  so  well  as  red  clover,  it  Is 
rich  In  protein  and  hence  Is  excellent  for  producing  milk  and  muscle  if 
pastured  or  fed  as  hay.  In  countries  where  the  climate  is  moist  It  may 
produce  bloating  when  the  live  stock  feed  very  freely  upon  It,  particu- 
larly when  It  is  damp,  because  of  this  it  may  be  well  to  wilt  it  some- 
what before  feeding  It  when  It  Is  to  be  used  as  a  soiling  food.  Lucerne 
is  also  valuable  as  a  source  of  fertility,  since  it  has  much  power  to 
absorb  nitrogen  from  the  air  and  from  the  subsoil. 

Lucerne  is  best  adapted  to  sandy  and  loam  soils,  with  a  deep, 
porous,  calcareous  subsoil,  and  In  those  parts  of  Minnesota  where  good 
results  have  not  been  obtained.  It  has  probably  been  owing  very  largely 
to  the  lack  of  lime  in  the  subsoil.  When  once  established  it  will  grow 
fairly  well  on  clays,  providing  the  subsoil  is  of  the  proper  character. 
The  nature  of  the  surface  soil  is  of  less  consequence  than  that  of  the 
subsoil,  and  yet  lucerne  will  not  grow  well  on  some  soils.  It  does  not 
seem  well  suited  to  black  loams,  more  especially  those  deficient  in 


W  Planlt. 

'.X  able  to  with* 
Iftlfs  of  clover, 
it  when  yoi'tiK, 

other  kinds  of 
iian  for  pasture, 
t  pasture,  l.u- 
ciice  it  is  exten- 
Iryer  portions  of 
,  It  will  thrive 
1  Ontario,  Can- 
(]ly  the  latter  is 
ucerne,  as  it  is 
'aiue  of  lucerne 
some  states,  as 
ulJ  be  carefully 
:  at  ail  suitable, 

prove  valuable 

some  countries 
a. 

)  It  will  furnish 
I  four.  On  irri- 
obtained  In  one 
ed  clover.  It  is 
\V.  and  muscle  If 
\  is  moist  It  may 
upon  it,  partlcu- 

to  wilt  it  some- 
;  food.  Lucerne 
much  power  to 

Is,  with  a  deep, 
sota  where  good 
'Ing  very  larReiy 
ihed  it  will  grow 
proper  character, 
than  that  of  the 
)ils.  It  does  not 
iose  deficient  in 


I 


FXO  4.     AtrALTA  OB  LUCBRNE  ClOVKB. 


!^ 


k\ ' 


32      Gr0.ws,  C/tnvn,  FUM  KtnHs,  Fcragt  tmt FwMtr  PlanH, 


ciny,    Nor  can  It  be  made  to  flourish  under  any  condition  when  the 
subsoil  holds  watei  for  a  prolonned  period  at  any  season  of  the  year. 

This  clover  Is  sown  early  In  the  sprlnit.  It  may  be  sown  alone  or 
alonn  with  another  crop.  The  preparation  of  the  soil  for  lucerne  Is 
much  the  same  as  for  red  clover.  When  It  Is  sown  alone  the  mower 
should  he  run  over  tlic  ground  once  or  more  frequently  In  the  season, 
to  prevent  weeds  from  maturing  their  seeds,  but  the  mower  knife 
should  be  made  to  cut  as  hi^h  as  possible  above  the  ground.  The  seed 
may  be  scattered  by  hand  or  with  a  hand  machine.  It  should  be  care- 
fully covered  with  the  harrow,  and  somewhat  deeply  on  prairie  soils, 
but  not  to  so  great  a  depth  on  those  more  dense  In  character.  When 
sown  wllh  a  grain  crop  rye  and  barley  have  been  found  more  suitable 
than  other  cereals.  One  bushel  per  acre  of  the  nurse  crop,  that  Is,  of 
the  barley  or  of  the  rye,  will  suffice.  The  lucerne  may  be  sown  at  the 
same  time  as  the  grain.  If  the  seed  can  be  made  to  fall  before  the 
grain  tubes  It  will  be  sufTiciently  covered  without  being  harrowed. 
From  twelve  to  twenty  pounds  of  seed  are  required  per  acre. 

In  some  countries  lucerne  is  sown  in  rows  eight  Inches  or  more 
apart,  and  is  hoed  or  cultivated  from  two  to  four  or  five  times  during 
the  first  season.  When  thus  cultivated  the  plants  make  a  strong 
growth  the  first  season,  hence  they  are  better  able  to  withstand  the 
vicissitudes  of  adverse  weather.  This  method  will  answer  when  only 
small  quantities  are  desired,  but  for  large  areas  It  is  Impracticable  where 
labor  is  costly.  And  it  may  be  well  to  mention  here  that  It  would 
doubtless  be  a  good  plan  to  grow  a  small  quantity  of  lucerne  near  the 
stable  lor  soiling  usi-s  when  it  would  not  be  wise  to  grow  it  as  a  prin- 
cipal crop. 

Much  care  Is  necessary  in  harvesting  lucerne.  When  allowed  to 
pass  the  early  stage  of  bloom  before  being  cut  it  becomes  woody,  and 
in  consequence  its  feeding  value  is  much  impaired.  Care  should  be 
taken  to  put  It  up  In  cocks  or  colls  as  soon  as  it  has  become  dry 
enough  to  be  drawn  together  with  the  horse  rake.  When  allowed  to 
lie  long  on  the  ground,  exposed  to  the  Influences  of  the  hot  sun,  the 
leaves  break  off  when  it  Is  being  handled,  hence  the  loss  from  this 
source  is  very  extensive.  In  climates  subject  to  unsteady  weather  In 
harvest  time  lucerne,  like  red  clover,  is  very  difficult  to  cure  when 
showers  fall  frequently.  The  seed  from  lucerne  is  commonly  taken 
from  the  second  cutting  for  the  season. 


i:' 


nJltlori  when  the 
ton  of  the  year. 

be  sown  alone  or 
oil  tor  liKerne  Is 

alone  the  mower 
fly  In  the  seaiwn, 
he  mower  knife 
;roiind.  The  seed 
t  should  be  care- 
'  on  prairie  soils, 
haracter.  When 
nd  more  suitable 
e  crop,  that  Is,  of 
y  be  sown  at  the 
}  fall  before  the 
beInK  harrowed, 
r  acre. 

it  Inches  or  more 
five  times  during 

make  a  stronK 
to  withstand  the 
iswer  when  only 
iractlcable  where 
re  that  It  would 
lucerne  near  the 
row  It  as  a  prin- 

^hen  allowed  to 
mes  woody,  and 
Care  should  be 
las  become  dry 
^hen  allowed  to 
he  hot  sun,  the 
!  loss  from  this 
eady  weather  in 
t  to  cure  when 
ommonly  taken 


SSSSISS^ArfP  ■* 


CuiUvmltJ  Gmuti  tmt  Chwrt, 


W 


When  a  field  of  lucerne  Is  to  be  ptouKhed  the  task  may  prove  an 
arduous  one  It  undertaken  with  the  ordinary  plouKh,  owing  to  tin-  dlf- 
ficuliy  of  cutting  off  tha  strong  roots  of  the  lucerne.  The  pro<r>t'  of 
ploughing  will  be  much  facilitated  by  having  the  plough-share  laid 
with  a  plate  of  steel,  the  edges  of  which  are  serrated.  This  gives  th« 
share  a  cutting  power  which  it  does  not  ordinarily  possess,  and  in  von- 
sequence  enables  It  to  cut  off  the  strong  r(M)ts  of  the  lucerne  which 
would  otherwise  probably  turn  the  plough  out  of  its  course. 

Whit*  Clover.  -  White  clover  (  Tri/ohum  rt/>int)  Is  more  gener- 
ally distributed  than  any  other  variety.  It  is  claimed  that  It  Is  iiidl- 
geneous  to  both  Europe  and  America.  It  Is  sometimes  called  Dutch 
clover,  and  will  grow  readily  In  all  the  northern  areas  of  the  United 
States  where  It  has  been  tried,  although  It  seems  better  adapted  to 
those  states  with  a  fair  amount  of  rainf.iH  during  the  season  of  growth, 
and  in  which  the  soil  possesses  a  goodly  portion  of  the  clay  element. 

White  clover  Is  the  most  aggressive  of  all  the  clovers.  In  reuard 
to  aggressiveness  it  bears  about  the  same  relation  to  the  other  varieties 
of  clover  as  blue  grass  does  to  the  other  varieties  of  grass.  It  would 
seem  to  travel  westward  In  the  wake  of  coloni/ation  and  settlemetit. 
It  follows  man  with  its  beneficent  mission,  and  when  once  establiitlD-d 
In  the  soil  it  springs  up  again,  while  at  the  same  time  it  does  not  hin- 
der cultivation  or  Interfere  In  any  adverse  way  with  the  rotation  of 
crops. 

This  valuable  little  plant  Is  of  a  low,  spreading,  recumbent  habit 
of  growth.  It  throws  out  tendrils  which  possess  the  power  of  becom- 
ing rooted  at  intervals  In  the  soil,  hence  the  explanation  of  the  extent 
to  which  it  covers  the  soil.  The  biosjoms  are  pure  while  or  tlnut-d 
with  crimson.  The  heads  seldom  reach  the  height  ot  une  foot  above 
the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  blossoms  appear  in  June  In  the  North- 
ern states,  and  where  the  climate  Is  moist  the  season  of  bloom  Is 
prolonged. 

White  clover  Is  seldom  sown  for  hay,  although  when  it  is  desir- 
able to  have  hay  of  a  fine  quality,  to  feed  sheep  tor  Instance,  It  may 
be  profitable  to  sow  it  as  one  part  of  a  mixture.  It  grows  singularly 
well  along  with  blue  grass,  hence  wherever  a  blue  grass  pasture  has 
become  well  established,  in  time  we  find  white  clover  growing  along 
with  it.  Wherever  the  two  grow  together  the  one  seems  to  aid  rather 
than  to  retard  the  growth  of  the  other.    The  blue  grass  furnishes  a 


i 


|»       Omutt,  CUvtn,  FitU  Ihth,  l^r.ig*  anJ  FoJJtr  PUnh. 


gratfful  ihaJe  to  lh«  clover,  favorabl*  to  Itt  Jev«lopmtnt.  and  lh« 
dover  In  turn  fc* J»  the  blue  «'«««:  a«.  being  a  Ugumt,  It  hd«  the 
power  ot  absorblnu  nltronen  Irotn  the  atinotphere.  Like  blue  Krass  It 
will  come  Into  a  permat.ciit  paiture  m  It  wrre  spontaneously,  on  all 
Killt  where  It  grew  previously.  But  when  these  lanjs  arc  laid  down 
to  permanent  pasture.  It  will  hasten  the  advent  of  the  clover  If  lome  o» 
the  seed  be  sown  alunic  with  the  other  grastet  of  the  mixture. 

AlthouKh  white  clover  will  grow  on  a  great  variety  of  soils.  It  la 
better  adapted  to  those  which  are  moist  and  which  are  not  too  light  In 
texture.  On  loam  soils  It  grows  much  more  luxuriantly  than  on  grav- 
els, for  Instance.  It  Is  not  so  well  suited  to  the  humus  soils  of  the 
prilrle  as  to  those  of  firmer  texture,  yet  It  will  do  fairly  well  on  these. 
Its  growth  should  be  everywhere  encouraged  In  the  prairies,  since  It 
brings  fertility  to  the  land,  furnishes  valuable  pasture,  and  also  adds 
to  the  moisture  of  the  soil. 

In  preparing  the  soil  for  white  clover  fine  pulverUatlon  Is  essen- 
tial, as  the  seed  of  this  plant  Is  very  small  and  the  growth  of  the  plant 
is  delicate  at  first.  The  soil  should  also  be  In  a  clean  condition,  lest 
weeds  injure  the  clover  by  their  growth  while  It  is  still  young.  The 
seed  m.iv  be  sown  In  a  manner  similar  to  that  of  other  clover  seeds. 
When  sown  alone  from  three  to  four  pounds  of  seed  will  be  found 
ample  for  one  acre.  If  sown  along  with  a  nurse  crop  the  latter  should 
be  thin  rather  than  dense. 

White  clover  should  be  encouraged  to  grow  over  all  the  North- 
west. The  seed  should  be  strewn  over  waste  places  and  In  all  parts 
where  the  land  Is  not  soon  to  be  cultivated,  unless  where  the  shade  or 
the  excess  of  moisture  are  likely  to  retard  successful  growth.  Why 
not  have  a  good  thing  speedily,  when  we  can  obtain  It  by  putting  forth 
an  effort,  rather  than  wait  long  years  for  Its  arrival?  It  Is  one  of  the 
best  pl.uits  for  ylelJlng  honey  In  America. 

Crimson  Clover. -Crimson  clover  ( TrifoHum  imamafum)  (see 
Fig.  5)  Is  a  native  of  Central  and  Southern  Europe.  It  has  not  been 
extensively  grown  In  America  until  within  a  comparatively  recent 
period.  There  are  at  least  five  varieties,  of  which  four  have  scarlet 
blossoms  and  the  fifth  a  white  one.  It  grows  from  one  to  two  feet 
high,  has  strong  upright  stems,  and  large,  cone  shaped  heads  of  a  beau- 
tiful crimson  hue.  The  roots  go  down  deeply  Into  the  soil,  hence  this 
plant  has  been  found  of  much  value  In  fertilizing  light  and  worn  lands. 


■^■■■■VMHMi 


fifr  rtaith. 


pmcnt,  attkl  th« 

"Wr,  II    hd»  Ihfl 

ke  hluD  k'rats  It 
nroutly,  on  all 

I  arc  IdlJ  down 
lover  If  wTM  of 
ixture, 

ty  of  tolls,  It  !• 
not  loo  light  In 
^  than  on  grav- 
us  soils  of  the 
/  well  on  these. 
)r«lrle»,  since  It 
anvl  also  adds 

:atlon  Is  essen* 

^th  of  the  plant 

condition,  lest 

II  young.  The 
sr  clover  seeds. 

will  be  found 
le  latter  should 

all  the  North- 
ind  In  all  parts 
e  the  shade  or 
irowth.  Why 
y  putting  forth 
t  is  one  of  the 

artiatum)  (see 
:  has  not  been 
raflvely  recent 
ir  have  scarlet 
ne  to  two  feet 
eadsof  a  beau- 
oil,  hence  this 
id  worn  lands. 


FlO-  &     UC'AIU.aT  UH  CUlMltUM  ULOVUL 


J 


r 


.1 


l! 


I' 


•■! 


.16       Grasses,  C/orers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

Criin:.o.i  cbver  Is  better  adapted  to  mild  latitudes  than  to  those  In 
which  the  climate  Is  severe.  It  Is  an  annual,  making  the  principal  por- 
tion of  Its  growth  In  the  autumn  und  In  the  spring.  It  finds  much  favor 
in  the  middle  and  lower  Atlantic  states,  and  in  those  bordering  on  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  In  the  Central  states  the  yields  are  not  quite  so  satis- 
factory. In  the  states  which  border  on  the  Mississippi  from  Minnesota 
southward,  this  clover  should  prove  valuable.  In  the  New  England, 
Northern  and  Northwestern  states,  it  seems  to  be  too  delicate  to  endure 
the  severity  of  the  winter.  But  it  will  probably  be  found  that  when 
«own  in  the  early  spring  it  will  give  a  good  yield  of  hay  the  same  sea- 


son on  rich,  damp 
soils,  and  in  many  sec- 
lions  of  the  localities 
named.  And  to  ascer- 
tain if  such  be  the  case, 
it  is  well  worthy  of  ex- 
tended trial. 

Crimson  clover  is 
best  adapted  to  light, 
warm,  free -working 
soils,  but  it  will  grow 
on  any  kind  of  soil 
open  ill  texture  and  yet 
not  so  light  as  to  be 
unable  to  retain  moist* 
ure  well.  It  Is  not 
well  suited  to  stiff,  cold 
clays,  as  in  these  it 
grows  too  slowly.  In 
the  light  fruit  lands  of 
tiie  middle  and  lower 


Via.  A.    ITiiAD  OF  Crim- 
son CUjOVEU.    Nat- 
CRAL  Size. 


Atlantic  States,  it  has 
rendered  excellent  ser- 
vice, not  only  in  pro- 
ducing fodder  but  also 
in  furnishing  a  cheap 
means  of  renovating 
these. 

The  preparation  of 
the  soil  for  this  crop 
involves  clean  tillage, 
and  a  fine  seed  bed. 
When  wanted  for  pas- 
ture, soiling,  hay  or 
green  manuring  in  the 
early  part  of  the  sea- 
son, it  would  need  to 
be  sown  from  July  to 
September,  according 
to  the  locality  and  con- 
ditions. It  is  a  com- 
mon practice  to  sow  it 


in  the  standing  corn  at  the  time  when  the  last  cultivation  is  given  the 
corn.  But  it  can  be  sown  alone  very  well  on  land  from  which  some 
crop  has  been  reaped  after  the  same  has  been  ploughed.  It  does  not 
answer  well  to  sow  w!th  winter  rye  as  a  nurse  crop,  for  the  clover 
grows  so  vigorously  that  it  hinders  the  growth  of  the  rye.  When 
sown  in  the  spring  to  be  cut  the  same  season,  it  would  need  to  be  put 
i  nto  the  ground  early,  and  it  would  also  require  to  occupy  the  ground 


der  P/ahti, 

than  to  those  in 
the  principal  por- 
finds  much  favor 
)orderinK  on  the 
ot  quite  so  satis- 

from  Minnesota 
e  New  England, 
lelicate  to  endure 
ound  that  when 
ay  the  same  sea- 
:ic  States,  it  has 
ed  excellent  ser- 
not  only  In  pro- 
I  fodder  but  also 
nishing  a  cheap 
>   of    renovating 

e  preparation  of 
)il  for  this  crop 
'es  clean  tillage, 
I  fine  seed  bed. 
wanted  for  pas- 
soiling,  hay  or 
manuring  in  the 
part  of  the  sea- 
t  would  need  to 
wn  from  July  to 
Tiber,  according 
locality  andcon- 
s.  It  is  a  com- 
)ractice  to  sow  it 
ition  is  given  the 
rom  which  some 
led.  It  does  not 
p,  for  the  clover 
the  rye.  When 
d  need  to  be  put 
cupy  the  ground 


Cultivated  Grasaei  and  Clovers. 


37 


alone.  The  mode  of  sowing  would  be  the  same  as  with  common  red 
clover. 

Crimson  clover  sown  in  the  summer  and  autumn  months  is  ready 
for  harvestinn  toward  the  close  of  the  spring  or  the  advent  of  summer. 
It  Is  cut  for  hay  at  the  same  stage  as  common  red  clover.  Difficulty  is 
sometimes  found  in  harvesting  the  crop  at  the  season  named. 

Good  crops  of  crimson  clover  produce  large  yields  of  seed,  but  the 
harvesting  of  the  same  requires  prompt  attention  as  soon  as  the  crop  is 


Pio.  7.   Crimson  Clovkb  Leaf.  Natuiiai.  sizk. 

ripe,  owing  to  the  ease  with  which  the  matured  seeds  are  shed.  The 
heads  are  large,  hence  when  soaked  with  rain,  they  dry  out  so  slowly 
that  trouble  frequently  arises  from  the  sprouting  of  the  seed. 

Where  crimson  clover  will  stand  the  winter  well  it  will  be  found 
specially  useful  for  the  following  purposes;  First,  It  will  provide  pas- 
ture and  excellent  soiling  food  early  In  the  season.    Second,  it  will  pro- 


i 


>  iiiiiiui.*{Jwwm>t'^?T»»» "" 


IHHb*W|A«ni*« 


38       Graases,  Clcvers,  Field  Roots,  Forafff  and  Fodder  Plants. 


!l 

i 


duce  green  manures  to  be  plowed  under  In  time  to  grow  another  crop 
the  same  season.  Third  it  may  be  used  in  renovating  orchards  with 
but  iittle  outiay  and  in  furnishing  a  soft,  clean  bed  in  them  on  which 
fruit  may  fall.  And  fourth,  it  wili  in  a  degree  bind  drift  soils  and  pre- 
vent washing  on  hill  sides. 

Yellow  Clover.—Yellow  clover  {Medicago  lupulind)  sometimes 
called  trefoil,  is  a  somewhat  diminutive  variety,  of  a  creeping  or  re- 
cumbent rather  than  an  upright  habit  of  growth.  It  is  of  European 
origin  but  In  some  parts  of  this  continent  It  seems  to  grow  admirably. 
In  England  it  grows  so  freely  on  some  limestone  soils  that  It  Is  trouble- 
some to  the  crops  which  come  later.  In  the  United  States  It  will  grow 
vigorously  on  the  soils  of  New  England  and  of  some  states  further  to 
the  west,  and  in  Ontario,  Canada,  it  also  seems  to  be  at  home.  But 
in  the  Central  and  Northwestern  States  it  appears  to  have  received 
very  little  attention,  more  particularly  in  the  latter  where  experience 
in  growing  it  would  seem  to  be  almost  entirely  lacking. 

Yellow  clover  begins  to  grow  quite  early  In  the  season.  In  the 
Northern  states  It  blooms  in  June,  and  matures  its  seeds  about  the  end 
of  that  month,  although  where  pastured  closely  it  continues  to  produce 
new  flowers  for  a  period  considerably  later.  It  has  a  pretty  yellow 
blossom,  from  which  the  name  was  doubtless  derived. 

Although  yellow  clover  may  be  grown  in  a  meadow,  it  is  not  well 
adapted  for  being  thus  grown,  as  other  grasses  crowd  and  shade  it  too 
much.  But  when  sown  as  part  of  a  mixture  to  form  a  permanent  pas- 
ture, it  seems  to  possess  much  power  of  retaining  its  hold  upon  the 
soil.  It  produces  fine  food  tor  sheep  and  other  kinds  of  live  stock,  but 
does  not  grow  so  well  late  in  the  season  as  white  clover.  It  yields 
seed  abundantly,  hence  when  It  once  gets  into  the  soil  It  will  after- 
wards spring  up  in  a  pasture  of  its  own  accord. 

As  already  intimated,  yellow  clover  will  grow  vigorously  in  lime- 
stone soils.  It  is  not  well  adapted  to  light  soils.  Like  other  varieties 
of  clover  it  seems  to  make  good  use  of  the  potash  brought  to  it  in  the 
clay  found  in  many  loams.  Nor  Is  it  well  suited  to  low  and  very  moist 
soils,  such  as  favor  the  growth  of  aisike  clover. 

Yellow  clover  may  be  sown  the  same  as  other  varieties.  When 
sown  alone  from  four  to  six  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  would  be  required. 
A  nurse  crop  would  also  be  in  order  for  this  plant.  When  sown  along 
with  other  grasses  for  meadow  which  is  afterwards  to  be  turned  into  a 


Jim 


ITMlllHl    tju^m* 


frr  Plants. 

)w  another  crop 
K  orchards  with 
them  on  which 
ft  soils  and  pre- 

'ina)  sometimes 
creeping  or  re- 
is  of  European 
row  admirably, 
hat  It  is  trouble- 
ites  it  will  grow 
itates  further  to 
at  home.  But 
I  have  received 
lere  experience 

season.  In  the 
s  about  the  end 
lues  to  produce 
I  pretty  yellow 

V,  It  Is  not  well 
nd  shade  It  too 
permanent  pas- 
hold  upon  the 
live  stock,  but 
)ver.  It  yields 
il  It  will  after- 

rously  in  lime- 
other  varieties 
ht  to  It  in  the 
and  very  moist 

rietles.  When 
ild  be  required, 
en  sown  along 
e  turned  into  a 


Cultivated  Grasses  and  Clovers, 


39 


pacture,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  use  more  than  two  pounds  of  seed, 
and  even  a  less  quantity  may  suffice.  This  clover  should  be  given  a 
trial  In  the  Northwest.  The  seed  is  not  costly  and  it  belongs  to  a 
family  of  plants  of  good  reputation,  hence  it  may  be  found  of  consider- 
able value  to  the  agriculture  of  the  area  named. 


i 


w^HWtol.«>jnJ|lKMriliHl  WiW'fcBffWtt»«y'^»'^^  *MllllMW»^M!»W»t*WW%-.i»fc'  w^m^ 


H 


I 


40       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


CHAPTER  III. 


PERMANENT  PASTURES. 


Permanent  pastures  are  those  which  occupy  the  same  soils  for  a 
long  term  of  years  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  crops.  They  may  in- 
clude but  one  variety  of  grass  or  they  may  be  composed  of  a  number  of 
varieties.  Many  of  the  pastures  of  the  east  tor  Instance,  contain  blue 
grass  only  and  it  would  not  be  Incorrect  to  designate  the  unbroken 
prairie  a  permanent  pasture  so  long  as  it  remains  unbroken.  But  the 
term  permanent  pasture  as  It  Is  ordinarily  understood,  may  be  defined 
as  a  pasture  comprising  a  number  of  grasses,  native  and  foreign,  which 
have  been  sown  together  on  a  piece  of  land  that  Is  to  be  pastured  for  a 
term  of  years. 

Permanent  pastures  are  more  valuable  relatively  in  countries  of 
mild  temperatures  and  moist  climates.  Where  the  winters  are  severe 
only  the  hardier  varieties  can  be  grown.  A  large  number  of  varieties 
therefore,  some  of  which  are  possessed  of  great  feeding  value  cannot 
be  grown  In  these  localities.  In  r«»gions  of  dry  summers,  some  useful 
grasses  do  not  make  any  growth,  during  the  hot  and  dry  portion  of  the 
season,  and  other  kinds  make  but  a  feeble  growth.  No  variety  has 
yet  been  discovered  which  will  grow  so  successfully  as  when  there  Is 
an  abundant  rainfall  in  the  summer.  And  if  in  addition  to  dry,  hot 
weather  during  a  considerable  portion  of  the  summer,  the  whole  season 
of  growth  Is  short  rather  than  long,  the  relativ*  value  of  permanent 
pastures  is  still  further  lessened. 

It  follows  therefore,  first,  that  permanent  pastures  will  not  be  so 
easily  maintained,  nor  will  they  be  so  valuable  relatively  on  this  con- 
tinent, as  in  Great  Biitain  for  instance,  where  the  summers  are  moist 
and  where  there  Is  a  long  season  of  growth.  Second,  that  they  will  be 
less  easily  obtained  and  of  less  feeding  value  In  the  Northwest  than  In 


T 


ime  soils  for  a 
They  may  in- 
of  a  number  of 
:e,  contain  blue 
:  ttie  unbroi<en 
o(<en.  But  the 
nay  be  defined 
t  foreign,  which 
pastured  for  a 

in  countries  of 
ters  are  severe 
ber  of  varieties 
;  value  cannot 
rs,  some  useful 
y  portion  of  the 
'io  variety  has 
when  there  is 
ion  to  dry,  hot 
e  whole  season 
!  of  permanent 

vill  not  be  so 
y  on  this  con- 
fners  are  moist 
at  they  will  be 
hwest  than  in 


New  England,  for  example,  with  Its  moister  climate.  And  third,  that 
the  slopes  of  the  Pacific  where  moisture  abounds  should  provide  a  very 
suitable  home  tor  permanent  pastures.  The  absence  of  these  however 
in  the  Northwest  is  amply  compensated  for  by  the  ease  with  which 
forage  and  fodder  crops  may  be  grown. 

But  it  would  be  a  mistake  to  conclude  that  there  is  not  a  very  im- 
portant place  for  permanent  pastures  in  this  western  country.  That 
they  may  be  grown  in  form  very  much  superior  to  the  grasses  of  the 
native  prairie  should  not  for  a  moment  be  questioned.  Although  It 
would  be  somewhat  hazardous  In  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge 
to  name  with  absolute  certainly  the  varieties  of  which  they  shall  be 
composed,  experience  has  demonstrated  that  certain  grasses  and  clovers 
may  be  successfully  raised,  when  grown  singly,  and  from  what  is 
known  concerning  the  habits  of  growth  common  to  these  it  would  be 
safe  to  assume  that  they  can  also  be  grown  with  favorable  results  In 
combination. 

Those  grasses  and  clovers  which  should  certainly  grow  well  in 
combination  in  the  Northwest  under  almost  any  conditions  include 
blue  grass,  white  Dutch  or  common  white  clover  and  timothy.  Those 
which  may  be  relied  upon  to  grow  with  much  certainiy  in  favorable 
localities  comprise  common  red  clover,  mammoth  clover,  alsike  clover, 
red  top,  Austrian  brome  grass  {Bromus  inermus),  and  wild  timothy 
(Muhlenbergia).  The  varieties  which  may  be  expected  to  grow  with 
a  fair  measure  of  certainty  under  favorable  conditions  include  lucerne, 
orchard  grass,  tall  oat  grass,  meadow  fescue  and  meadow  foxtail.  And 
those  found  not  well  adapted  to  permanent  pastures  will  probably 
embiace  nearly  ail  of  the  fescues  and  rye  grasses.  It  may,  however, 
be  found  profitable  in  some  instances  to  sow  some  of  the  rye  grasses 
for  the  crop  they  will  bring  the  same  season  that  they  are  sown.  The 
rye  grasses  do  not  as  a  rule  endure  the  cold  of  the  winters  in  this  lati- 
tude, and  the  fescues  grow  too  slowly,  though  some  native  variety  or 
varieties  (/f  fescue  may  yet  be  found  serviceable.  As  common  red 
clover  and  mammoth  clover  are  biennials  it  is  not  usual  to  sow  them 
in  large  quantities  in  a  permanent  pasture,  since  at  the  end  of  two 
years  they  will  in  a  great  measure  disappear. 

Laying  Down  Permanent  Fastures.— In  laying  down  perma- 
nent pastures  the  adaptation  of  the  grasses  to  the  soils  is  very  import- 
ant    A  permanent  pasture  of  blue  grass  and  white  clover  may  be  made 


'1  WwimyrMttiM 


HiW*  reaMfs^vterti'/tmrr^ 


[1 


:■    i. 


'I 

II 


42       Grasses,  Clovers,  Fi,l,l Roots,  Forage  ami  l-'oiU,-r  Plants, 

on  almost  any  kind  of  soil.    Such  n  pasture  especially  on  upland  soils 
Is  much  superior  to  the  native  prairio.    Arable  lands  are  usually  con- 
sidered too  valuable  to  be  thus  used.    The  aim  Is  rather  to  transform 
ruKged  lands  Into  pastures  of  this  nature.     Such  a  transformation  may 
be  made  by  sowing  ihe  seed  on  these  early  in  tlie  spring  just  alter  the 
frost  has  left  the  ground,  but  a  short  distarice  below  the  surface.     A 
few  pounds  only  per  acre  of  t!:e  seed  will  be  required,  but  more  of  the 
blue  grass  will  be  needed  than  of  the  clover.    A  stroke  or  two  of  the 
harrow  at  such  a  time  would  cover  the  seed,  but  on  rugged  soils  this 
may  not  be  practicable.    If  the  live  stock  of  the  farm  were  allowed  to 
tread  upon  It  some  of  the  seed  would  be  buried.    On  stii'f  soils  such  a 
course  would  seriously  Injure  the  land  by  poaching  or  trampling  and 
thus  Impacting  it.  These  pastures  should  not  be  eaten  too  closely  the  first 
and  second  seasons  after  the  tame  grasses  have  been  sown  In  them  to 
give  opportunity  for  some  of  the  seeds  of  the  latter  to  mature  for  further 
reproduction.    When  these  rug;,'ed  lands  are  low-lying  alsike  clover 
and  red  top  may  also  be  sown.    It  is  not  necessary  to  sow  more  than  a 
few  pounds  of  the  entire  mixture.     It  would  be  quite  impossible  to 
name  quantities  that  would  be  equally  applicable  to  all  conditions. 
In  seeding  down  such  lands  the  object  should  be  to  get  the  grasses 
started  on  a  limited  scale  at  first  and  then  to  give  them  a  chance  to 
increase,  by  allowing  some  of  the  seed  to  mature  as  Intimated  above, 
rather  than  to  transform  the  pasture  quickly  by  sowing  large  quan- 
tities of  seed.    As  the  seed  when  thus  sown   may  possibly  fail  to 
grow,  this  plan  would  diminish  the  risk  arising  from  sowing  it  in 
a  wholesale  way.    If  the  season  should  prove  more  than  ordinarily 
dry  failure  would  ensue.    But  In  such  Instances  the  husbandman 
should  not  be  discouraged  in  repeating  the  process,  for  pastures  thus 
transformed  are  certainly  more  valuable  than  those  of  the  unmolested 
upland  prairie.    In  moist  regions  excellent  permanent  pastures  may  be 
made  by  sowing  blue  grass  and  orchard  grass  In  shady  places,  as  for 
instance  groves  In  which  underwood  Is  absent  and  In  which  the  shade 
is  not  too  dense.    In  the  drier  park  regions  of  the  west,  blue  grass  may 
also  be  sown  thus  and  possibly  orchard  grass  as  well,  but  as  stated  In 
Chapter  II,  the  value  of  orchard  grass  in  such  places  has  yet  to  be 
proved.    These  grasses  would  require  to  be  sown  In  the  very  early 
spring  and  where  they  can  be  harrowed  the  results  will  be  much  more 
satisfactory. 


hr  P/ati/n. 

on  iiplnnd  soils 
vv  usually  con- 
licr  to  transform 
istormaflon  may 
iiK  just  alter  the 
tlie  surface.    A 
but  more  of  the 
e  or  two  of  the 
UKKed  soils  this 
.vore  allowed  to 
itii'f  soils  such  a 
r  trampling  and 
u  closely  the  first 
9wn  In  them  to 
lature  for  further 
IK  alsike  clover 
iow  more  than  a 
te  Impossible  to 
I  all  conditions, 
get  the  grasses 
lem  a  chance  to 
itimated  above, 
UK  large  quan- 
possibly  fall  to 
m  sowing  it  in 
than  ordinarily 
e  husbandman 
r  pastures  thus 
the  unmolested 
•astures  may  be 
f  places,  as  for 
hich  the  shade 
blue  grass  may 
ut  as  stated  In 
has  yet  to  be 
the  very  early 
be  much  more 


I 


Permanent  Pastures.  43 

Pastures  of  more  or  less  permanency  may  be  established  on  arable 
lands  In  the  Northwest,  by  using  a  limited  number  of  grasses.  These 
lands  should  possess  at  least  a  fair  amount  of  moisture.  Tlie  grasses 
may  include  such  varieties  as  blue  grass,  timothy,  common  red  or  mam- 
moth clover,  alsll<e  clover,  white  or  Dutch  clover,  lucerne,  and  yellow 
clover.  The  following  quantities  of  seed  can  be  used,  but  there  may  be 
good  reasons  for  varying  these  in  certain  instances: 

Blue  Grass 3  pounds. 

Timothy  4  pounds. 

Red  Clovr  2  pounds. 

Alsike  Clover 1  pounds. 

Lucerne 2  pounds. 

White  Clover 2  pounds. 

Yellow  Clover I  pound. 

Total,  17  pounds. 
Such  a  pasture  may  be  used  for  a  limited  term  of  years,  after  which 
the  land  may  be  again  made  to  form  a  part  of  the  regular  rotation.  In 
preparing  the  soil  thorough  and  careful  cultivation  will  be  necessary. 
The  seeds  will  of  course  be  sown  along  with  some  kind  of  grain  crop 
and  covered  with  the  harrow.  They  should,  whenever  practicable,  be 
sown  upon  land  ploughed  the  previous  autumn. 

A  permanent  pasture  with  a  yet  more  limited  number  of  varieties 
can  lie  laid  down  on  lands  that  are  quite  low  and  moist.  The  varieties 
used  with  the  respective  amounts  of  seed  per  acre  are  tlie  following: 

Timothy 6  pounds. 

Blue  Grass 3  pounds. 

Alsike  Clover 4  pounds. 

White  Clover 1  pound. 

Total,    14  pounds. 

In  preparing  the  land  for  these  grasses  when  the  soil  is  spongy  and 
possesses  an  excess  of  vegetable  matter,  it  may  be  necessary  first  to 
giow  upon  it  for  a  year  or  two  such  nitrogen  consuming  crops  as  flax. 
The  seed  may  be  best  sown  with  a  crop  of  barley,  as  barley  will  grow 
well  on  such  soils. 

But  permanent  pastures  may  also  be  laid  down  upon  the  European 
plan,  namely  the  plan  which  includes  a  large  number  of  varieties  of 
grasses  and  clovers,  Intended  to  be  kept  as  pastures  for  a  long  time. 


\ 


•• 


>l 


S   I: 


V 


44       Grassts,  Chvtrs,  FkU  Rocti,  Forage  and  Fodiitr  Pfanls, 

When  these  pastures  >  thus  laid  down  In  America,  whether  In  the 
west  or  In  the  east,  t,  ,  rkh,  moist  soils  should  be  chosen.  They 
should  rest  on  a  clay  siibsoll  of  only  moderate  texture,  that  Is  to  say 
neither  too  porous  nor  too  retentive.  If  the  subsoil  were  too  open  the 
pastures  would  suffer  In  consequence  In  dry  weather.  If  It  were  too  close 
or  too  retentive  they  would  suffer  overmuch  In  wet  weather,  in  the  latter 
Instance  the  soil  would  require  to  be  thoroughly  underdralned  before  It 
was  laid  down  to  permanent  pasture.  Sharp,  sandy  and  Kravelly  soils 
are  not  suitable  to  the  maintenance  of  permanent  pastures.  They  are 
so  deficient  In  moisture  that  they  do  not  sustain  a  vigorous  growth  of 
grasses  except  for  a  short  season  in  the  early  spring. 

When  lands  arc  to  be  laid  down  to  permanent  pasture,  It  is  greatly 
Important  that  they  should  be  entirely  freed  from  noxious  weed 
growth,  so  far  as  this  -an  be  accomplished  without  excessive  labor. 
These  pastures  should  then  follow  the  bare  fallow,  or  should  come 
after  a  hoed  or  cultivated  crop.  A  crop  of  mangels,  turnips  or  beans 
would  be  more  suitable  to  precede  permanent  pastures  than  corn,  as 
the  roots  of  the  corn  would  be  seriously  In  the  way  o?  the  cultivation 
when  preparing  the  ground  for  the  seeds. 

It  Is  Important  that  such  lands  should  contain  an  abundance  of 
plant  food  !n  order  that  the  grasses  may  be  well  sustained  the  first 
season.  When  they  enter  the  first  winter  In  a  vigorous  and  well-rooted 
state  they  do  not  readily  succumb  to  vicissitudes  of  weather.  It  the 
lands  are  not  rich  they  should  be  made  so,  either  by  applying  farm- 
yard manure  or  artificial  fertilizer  When  the  former  Is  applied  It 
should  be  put  on  In  the  autumn  or  winter  preceding  the  sowing  of  the 
grasses  and  Incorpoiated  with  the  surface  soil  before  the  seed  Is  sown. 
But  when  thus  applied  the  manure  would  require  to  be  well  decom. 
posed.  If  applied  fresh  It  wo>ild  be  good  policy  to  put  It  on  freely  when 
preparing  the  ground  for  the  preceding  crop.  The  residuum  of  It  then 
left  In  the  soil  will  be  in  a  fine  condition  for  sustaining  a  qulcl<  growth. 
When  artificial  fertilizers  are  used  they  may  be  applied  In  the  spring 
while  the  land  Is  being  prepared  for  the  grass  seeds.  A  mixed  fertilizer 
would  be  suitable,  that  Is  one  possessed  of  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid 
and  potash.  The  object  should  be  to  so  apply  the  fertilizer  that  it  would 
be  incorporated  with  the  surface  soil,  and  yet  not  be  far  from  the  surface- 
The  nitrogeneous  portion  when  applied  by  itself  would  be  better  strewn 
upon  the  surface  just  after  the  plants  appear  above  the  ground. 


^m 


\hr  Phnh, 

,  whether  hi  the 
e  chosen.  They 
'v,  that  Is  tu  sav 
/ere  too  open  the 
it  were  too  close 
her.  Ill  the  latter 
•drained  before  It 
lid  Kravelly  soils 
tures.  They  are 
(orous  growth  of 

ture,  It  Is  Kreatly 
noxious  weed 
excessive  labor, 
or  should  come 
turnips  or  beans 
;s  than  corn,  as 
\  the  cultivation 

n  abundance  of 
■stained  the  first 
I  and  well-rooted 
weather.    If  the 

applying  farm- 
ler  Is  applied  it 
le  sowing  of  the 
leseed  Is  sown 

be  well  decom> 
ton  freely  when 
Iduum  of  it  then 
a  quick  growth. 
;d  In  the  spring 
.  mixed  fertilizer 
phosphoric  add 
zer  that  it  would 
From  the  surface- 
be  better  strewn 
ground. 


fnmanent  Pii.ffurff.  4f 

When  permanent  pastures  come  after  field  roots  the  ground  does 
not  require  any  cultivation  after  tlie  roots  have  been  removed,  further 
than  that  necessiry  t'  secure  a  fine  surface  pulveri/ation  the  following 
spring.  It  will  only  be  needful  therefore  to  cultivate  it  us  soon  ns  the 
ground  Is  dry  in  the  spring,  and  to  follow  tlie  cultivation  with  the  har. 
row.  In  some  instances  It  maybe  necessary  to  '"^^  the  harrow  only, 
more  especlallv  in  soil«.  a  little  spongy  in  texture.  loughlng  the  land 
in  the  spring  would  do  harm,  In  Inlnglng  up  weed  Is  from  the  lower 
section  of  the  soil  which  would  prove  troublesome  afterwards,  and  It 
would  so  loosen  the  soli  that  the  growth  of  the  grasses  would  be  injur- 
iously affected.  If  a  dry  season  were  to  follow.  But  the  pulverization  of 
tlie  soil  must  be  fine,  for  unless ihere  Is  a  minute  division  In  the  particles 
of  the  surface  soli  the  quick  growth  of  the  young  plants  will  be  seriously 
retarded,  more  particularly  those  which  possess  least  vigor  when  they 
first  spring  into  life. 

The  varieties  which  compose  the  mixtures  of  grasses  suitable  for 
permanent  pastures  in  the  Northwest,  will  differ  somewhat  from  those 
suitable  for  the  same  in  countries  to  the  eastward.  It  will  therefore  be 
necessary  to  mention  in  separate  lists  the  grasses  which  may  compose 
the  mixtures  to  be  sown  in  the  Northwest  and  also  those  which  may 
compose  the  mixtures  to  be  sown  In  the  East. 

In  the  Northwest  the  following  varieties,  with  the  respective  quan- 
titles  mentioned  of  each,  will  be  found  suitable  for  sowing  per  acre: 

Timothy *  pounds. 

Blue  (Jrass 3  pounds. 

Red  Top 2  pounds. 

Orchard  Grass 2  pounds. 

Meadow  Fescue I  pound. 

Tall  Oat  Grass 1  pound. 

Meadow  Foxtail •  pound. 

Aislke  Clover 3  pounds. 

White  Clover 2  pounds. 

Lucerne 2  pounds. 

Yellow  Clover -1  pound. 

Total,    22  pounds. 
When  the  grower  does  not  wish  to  hazard  the  kinds  that  are  In  a 
sense  untried,  as  for  Instance,  orchard  grass,  meadow  fescue,  tall  oat 


I 


'  I 


tl. 


w 


46       Grmstrt,  Clmtn,  FitU  Recti,  Fomgg  and  Foditer  PlanU, 

grass  anJ  meadow  foxtail,  these  may  be  omitted  from  the  mixture,  and 
the  quantities  of  timothy,  blue  sixtM,  red  top  and  aisike  clover  li- 
creased. 

For  states  to  the  eastward  of  Mlchlnan  and  for  the  Provinces  of 
Canada  eastward  of  Lake  Huron  the  mixture  may  with  advnntaKe  In- 
chide  the  varieties  named  In  the  list  submitted  below,  which  also  con- 
tains the  respective  amounts  of  seed  required  per  acre: 

Orchard  Grass 4  pounds. 

iWeadow  Fescue 3  pounds. 

Tall  Oat  Grass 2  pounds. 

Timothy 2  pounds. 

Meadow  Foxtail 2  pounds. 

lucerne S  pounds, 

Aisike  Clover 3  pounds. 

White  Clover 2  pounds. 

Yellow  Clover I  pound. 

Total,    2(  pounds. 

These  quantities  are  submitted  as  approximately  suitable  for  aver- 
age  conditions.  But  it  may  be  advantaKcoiis  to  vary  them  on  soils 
which  differ  in  quality.  F'or  instance,  on  those  with  a  very  moist  sub- 
soil, lucerne  would  have  to  be  omitted  altogether.  The  omission 
would  then  be  made  good  by  a  corresponding  relative  Increase  In  the 
quantities  of  aisike  and  white  clover. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  in  the  early  spring  as  soon  as  the  ground 
Is  dry.  if  sown  later  there  Is  great  danger  that  the  young  plants  will 
perish  when  the  warm,  dry  weather  of  summer  sets  In.  It  may  be 
sown  alone  or  with  a  nurse  crop.  The  value  of  a  nurse  crop  consists  in 
providing  shade  for  the  young  plants  and  in  some  Instances  in  yielding 
some  return  for  the  ground  that  same  season.  Barley  and  spring  rye 
would  probably  prove  more  suitable  as  nurse  crops  than  other  cereals, 
as  the  shade  which  they  provide  Is  less  dense,  and  consequently  more 
favorable  to  the  growth  of  the  young  grasses.  If  nurse  crops  are  used 
one  bushel  of  seed  per  acre  will  be  found  ample. 

When  the  grass  seeds  nre  sown  alone  they  may  be  all  mixed  to- 
gether and  then  scattered  broadcast  over  the  ground.  Care  should  be 
taken  to  stir  the  mixture  occasionally,  lest  the  small  seeds  fall  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sowing  box  and  be  scattered  unequally.    Another  way 


Ihr  mixture,  aiiJ 
alslk*  clover  li- 
the Provinces  of 
h  a<Jv,inta((e  In- 
which  also  con- 

ids. 
ids. 
ds. 
ds. 
ds. 
ds. 
ds. 
ds. 
d. 

ds. 

uitable  tor  aver- 
them  on  soils 

very  moist  sub- 
The  omission 

Increase  In  the 

)nastheRround 
ung  plants  will 
In.  It  may  be 
crop  consists  in 
ncesin  yielding 
and  spring  rye 
n  other  cereals, 
sequently  more 
crops  are  used 

e  all  mixed  to- 

Care  should  be 

eeds  fall  to  the 

Another  way 


Pfrmnnenl  Panlnrti, 


IT 


would  be  to  sow  the  smaller  and  finer  seed*  after  they  had  been  mixed, 
with  some  kind  of  hand  machine,  an  I  then  to  mix  the  larger  varieties 
nnd  sow  thern  aNo.  When  the  seeds  are  sown  with  a  nurse  crop,  tha 
latter  may  be  !M)wn  with  a  grain  drill  and  the  smaller  seeds  can  be 
mixed  and  sown  at  the  same  time  when  the  drill  has  an  attachment 
for  sowing  grass  seed*.  These  small  seeds  should  fall  behind  the  drill 
tubes  rather  than  In  front  of  them.  The  larger  seeds  whiih  the  at- 
tachment may  not  be  able  to  sow  could  then  be  mixed  and  sown  by 
hand.  Another  plan  would  be  to  sow  the  small  seeds  with  the  seeder 
attachment  to  the  grain  drill,  and  then  to  mix  the  larger  ones  with  the 
nurse  crop  and  sow  them  along  with  the  latter.  But  this  method  of 
sowing  the  larger  grass  seeds  would  not  answer  so  well  tor  the  stiffer 
soils  of  the  east  as  It  would  bury  the  seeds  t(M)  deeply. 

On  the  soils  of  the  Nt>- thwest  the  seeds  would  require  to  be  covered 
with  the  harrow.  A  smoothing  harrow  or  one  with  many  short  teeth 
would  well  serve  the  purpose.  On  the  soils  of  the  eastern  states  and 
the  eastern  Provinces  of  Canada  the  seed  should  also  get  a  slight  cov 
ering  with  the  harrow,  but  In  some  Instances  they  would  be  sufficiently 
covered  by  running  the  roller  over  the  field  before  rain  fell  In  any  con- 
siderable quantity.  When  the  roller  Is  thus  used  the  covering  will  be 
more  complete  If  It  Is  driven  across  rather  than  along  the  drill  marks 

If  the  grasses  are  sown  alone,  the  mower  may  require  to  be  run 
over  the  field  once  or  twice  during  the  se.ison.  to  prevent  the  weeds 
which  may  have  come  up  In  the  grass  from  seeding.  When  sown 
with  a  nurse  crop  the  grain  also  should  be  reaped  high  rather  than  low. 
They  should  not  be  pastured  the  same  season  In  which  they  are  sown 
.is  pasturing  would  tend  to  pull  out  some  of  the  feeble  plants  and  to  de- 
stroy others  by  trampling  them.  And  if  would  render  them  less  able 
to  pass  through  the  winter  safely. 

The  management  of  permanent  pastures  after  they  have  become 
established.  Is  not  difficult.  It  Includes  the  prevention  of  weeds  from 
maturing  their  seeds,  an  occasional  harrowing,  and  it  may  also  Include 
renovating  them.  Weed  seeds  may  be  prevented  from  ripening  by 
r  jnning  the  mower  over  the  pastures*  once  a  year  or  oftener.  but  usu- 
ally once  a  year  will  be  sufficient.  A  thorouKh  harrowing  once  or 
twice  a  year,  more  especially  In  conjunction  with  the  application  of  fer- 
tilizers has  a  beneficial  Influence  upon  them.  It  would  need  to  be  glv- 
en  l:i  the  autumn  or  the  early  spring.  But  the  question  of  renovating 
permanent  pastures  will  be  further  discussed  under  a  separate  heading. 


n 


J: 


41      Grmm,  Cl^'tn,  FUU  Rtth,  Flmigt  tmif^Mir  HmU, 

Th«  Konovatlon  of  PvrmMiMiit  P«*tttf««.— The  renovitlon  i»l 
pwmanent  p4«tiire»  may  b«  of  two  klnJ».  Hlr-»t,  It  m  ly  reldtt  lo  the 
fo^lrrlng  of  ■  more  abiindunt  growth  of  the  graiMS  which  compose 
them.  Or  lecond,  It  may  refer  to  the  re-Introduction  of  eome  varletle*. 
which,  from  nme  cause  or  cauaea  have  partially  or  wholly  dlaappeared 
from  them.  Experience  In  the  renovation  of  permanent  pasture*  even 
In  the  Atlantic  States  h  limited  and  It  Is  still  more  rare  to  the  west- 
ward. As  permanent  pastures  In  this  country,  of  what  may  be  termed 
artlflclal  origin,  art  as  yet  law  and  far  between,  experience  In  renovat- 
Ing  them  In  any  sense  If  almost  entirely  lacking.  What  Is  s.ild  on 
this  question  therefore  may  seem  somewhat  probtematlcal  but  It  will 
only  be  so.  In  so  far  as  the  statements  based  on  general  principles  m<iy 
lack  support,  when  applied  to  specific  Instances  irom  local  Ckuaat 
which  can  only  be  brought  to  light  by  axperlenca. 

A  more  vigorous  growth  In  permanent  pastures  may  be  secured  In 
any  country  by  any  one  of  the  following  methods  or  by  all  of  llieii 
combined: 

First.  It  can  be  secured  by  what  may  tw/  termed  light  pasturing. 
And  the  drier  the  climate  the  more  Important  Is  It  that  the  pasturing 
■hall  not  be  severe.  The  portion-,  of  a  pasture  not  eaten  closely  act  a*  a 
mulch  for  the  grass  roots  to  shield  tnem  from  the  evaporating  influences 
of  the  sun  and  paMing  winda.  Much  more  moisture  is  thus  retained 
In  the  soil,  and  In  consequence  the  growth  of  the  grass  Is  a  great  deal 
more  vigorous  than  It  would  otherwise  be.  A  covering  of  uneaten 
grass  In  autumn  shelters  the  roots  from  the  frosts  of  winter.  Where 
such  protection  exl^its  there  Is  always  an  earlier  and  a  more  rapid 
growth  of  grass  In  the  spring  than  where  It  is  tacking.  And  the  same 
Is  true  in  summer  when  ralri  moistens  the  ground  which  has  been 
parched.  There  is  also  more  vigor  In  the  plant  and  therefore  greater 
power  to  grow,  let  It  b«  grass  or  grain  which  Is  not  deprived  of  Its 
leaves  during  the  period  of  active  growth.  It  Is  a  mistake  therefore 
under  any  condition  to  crop  grasses  off  quiie  down  to  the  ground,  when 
there  Is  any  way  of  preventing  this.  Herein  lies  one  reason  lor  the 
great  necessity  of  growing  soiling  crops  to  supplement  the  pastures. 

Second,  It  may  be  secured  by  top  dressing  with  farm-yard  manures. 
These  In  addition  to  the  fertility  which  they  bring  to  pastures,  act  as  a 
mulch  and  the  benefit  thus  derived  Is  probably  asjfreat  In  some  In- 
stances as  that  arising  from  the  enrichment  of  the  land.    V.'nen  the 


ItkrPkmH. 

"he  renovation  ol 
my  reUU  In  th* 
I  which  compoM 
n\  some  varieties, 
holly  ditappcared 
ml  patturM  cvan 
■are  to  the  weat- 
at  may  be  termed 
rience  In  renovat- 
What  la  »;ilJ  on 
■tical  but  It  will 
al  principles  may 
rom  local  ci>ua«« 

lay  be  tecureJ  In 
r  by  all  of  ther^ 

1  light  pasturlnR. 
hat  the  pasturlnK 
ten  closely  aetata 
wratInK  Intluences 
I  Is  thus  retained 
IS  Is  a  VA^  <Je>l 
'erlng  of  uneaten 
f  winter.  Where 
nd  a  more  rapid 
[.  And  the  same 
which  has  been 
I  therefore  greater 
t  deprived  of  Its 
mistake  therefore 
I  the  ground,  when 
ne  reason  lor  the 
it  the  pastures, 
irm-yard  manures. 
I  pastures,  act  as  a 
great  In  some  In- 
land.   V/nen  the 


i'trmaHfHl  Patlum, 


mflltim  are  iprtldOVirtlltpi^rMwhlia  fresh,  greater  benefits  will 
result  than  If  they  ara  applied  at  a  lattr  stage.  Farmyard  manures 
may  be  applied  to  grasa  lands  at  any  season,  but  not  with  equal  ad* 
vantage.  If  put  un  when  th«  pastures  are  frevh  the  taint  from  the 
manure  will  rvncJer  the  grass  dittastrtui  for  a  time.  If  applied  when 
the  weather  is  dry  the  benefits  by  way  of  enrichment  are  nut  at  oiict 
bestowed.  There  Is  probably  no  season  of  the  year  at  which  manures 
may  be  utilized  with  so  much  advantage  to  crass  lands  as  in  the  win* 
ter  and  more  partUuiarly  the  early  winter,  for  when  applied  early  they 
act  as  a  mulch  in  protecting  the  grass  from  frost.  But  they  may  be 
spread  over  the  ground  with  benefit  any  time  during  the  winter  even 
when  the  snuw  Is  deep.  When  the  snows  melt  and  the  spring  rains 
fall,  the  soluble  parts  of  the  manure  are  washed  into  the  ground  and 
at  once  start  a  vigorous  growth,  while  the  bulky  portions  act  ns  a 
m>ilch.  An  extraordinary  growth  of  i:rass  may  thus  be  secured  early 
In  the  season.  In  no  other  way  probabiy  can  farm-yard  manures  be 
utilized  to  better  advantage  than  In  the  top  dressing  of  pastures  In  the 
manner  indicated.  When  the  conditions  of  the  pasture  in  many  sec- 
tions of  the  Northwe-  is  taken  into  consideration,  and  when  In  those 
sections  manure  is  burned  or  carted  away  Into  r<vines  language  cannot 
Wfll  express  the  regret  felt  by  those  who  know  Its  value.  In  conse* 
quence  of  the  loss  Involved. 

Third,  it  may  be  stcured  by  the  application  of  artificial  fertilizers. 
In  the  states  to  the  eastward  these  will  he  required  more  than  in  the 
richer  prairie  lands  of  the  west,  and  In  the  former  better  results  rela- 
tively may  be  expected  from  their  application,  owing  to  tlie  greater 
mols'ure  which  they  possess.  These  fertilizers  will  be  variously  com- 
pounded with  reference  to  the  end  in  view.  Nitrogenous  feitillzers,  for 
Instance  tankage,  tend  more  especially  to  push  forward  grasses.  Pho?- 
phatic  fertilizers  tend  more  equally  to  foster  the  growth  of  grasses  and 
clovers,  and  potassic  fertilizers  have  a  tendency  to  promote  the  growth 
of  the  clovers,  while  wood  ashes  seem  to  form  an  especial  food  for  white 
clover.  These  fertliizer.s  may  b«  applied  In  the  autumn  or  the  sprlrig, 
except  those  that  are  nitrogenous  which  should  only  be  utilized  in  the 
spring,  as  if  applied  in  the  autumn  they  might  leech  away  before  they 
are  taken  up  by  the  plants.  When  phosphoric  or  potassic  fertilizers  are 
used  the  ground  should  be  carefully  harrowed  after  they  have  been 
sown.    The  harrowing  Incorporates  them  In  the  surface  soil  where  they 


! 


1 


"50 


Grasses,  Clovers,  Fif Id  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


at  once  begin  to  do  their  work,  and  It  is  also  beneficial  to  the  grasses. 
Nitrogenous  fertilizers  may  be  left  on  the  surface  except  where  t  is 
more  convenient  to  sow  them  in  the  spring  as  a  part  of  the  fertilizer 

mixture.  .  ,    ,      .  v.. 

And  fourth,  it  mav  be  secured  with  some  kinds  of  grasses  by 
pIouKhlnn  the  ground  and  then  harrowing  it.  Pastures  composed  of 
blue  grass  or  blue  grass  and  white  clover  maybe  renovated  thus.  The 
ploughing  should  be  done  in  the  autumn  when  the  ground  is  moist,  as 
the  grass  will  then  begin  to  grow  at  once  jn  the  early  sp.lng.  The  fur- 
rows should  be  turned  at  as  great  an  angle  as  possible  and  the  harrow 
should  follow  closely  after  the  plough.  The  cultivation  tears  asunder 
the  matted  grass  roots  and  loosens  the  soil  so  that  a  more  vigorous 
growth  is  thereby  ensured  during  the  years  immediately  following. 

The  re-lntroductlon  into  permanent  pastures  of  varieties  of  grasses 
and  clovers  is  less  difficult  in  moist  than  in  dry  climates.  It  cannot  be 
easily  done  except  when  the  surface  soil  is  torn  up  more  or  less  by  some 
Implement  of  tillage,  for  Instance  the  harrow.  The  seeds  of  the  variety 
or  varieties  to  be  re-introduced  should  be  sown  before  the  ground  Is 

harrowed.  .    .^  ■  *      , 

The  duration  of  permanent  pastures  Is  dependent  In  a  greater  or 
less  degree  upon  climate,  soil,  the  closeness  of  the  pasturing  or  the 
opposite,  and  the  extent  to  which  renovation  is  attempted.  Molstness 
of  climate  lengthens  their  duration  as  does  also  richness  of  soil.  Severe 
pasturing  tends  to  shorten  the  period  of  their  duration.  But  none  of 
these  influences  affects  their  continuity  so  much  as  the  adoption  of  Ju- 
dicious measures  for  renovating  them.  Permanent  pastures  on  the 
European  plan  are  not  lil<elyto  maintain  themselves  for  so  long  a  period 
In  the  Northwest  as  In  locations  where  moisture  is  more  abundant. 


i 


Uer  Plants. 

al  to  tlie  grasses, 
ixcept  where  U  Is 
rtof  the  fertilizer 

ds  of  grasses  by 
tures  composed  of 
3vated  thus.  The 
[round  is  moist,  »s 
/sp.ing.  The  fur- 
le  and  the  harrow 
tion  tears  asunder 
t  a  more  vigorous 
tely  following, 
arleties  of  grasses 
ites.  It  cannot  be 
ore  or  less  by  some 
«eds  of  the  variety 
store  the  ground  is 

ient  In  a  greater  or 
B  pasturing  or  the 
mpted.  Molstness 
less  of  soil.  Severe 
itlon.  But  none  of 
the  adoption  of  ]u- 
it  pastures  on  the 
)  for  so  long  a  period 
nore  abundant. 


Forage  Crof>s. 


SI 


CHAPTER  IV. 


FORAGE  CROPS. 


No  one  crop  probably,  can  be  found  equal  to  common  red  clover  as 
an  all  round  forage  crop.  After  clover.  It  would  perhaps  not  be  Incor- 
rect to  name  blue  grass.  But  neither  of  these  Is  a  forage  crop  In  the 
sense  In  which  the  term  Is  used  In  this  chapter.  All  grasses  are,  strictly 
speaking,  forage  crops.  But  these  will  not  be  considersd,  since  the  ob- 
ject aimed  at  Is  to  treat  only  of  such  forage  crops  as  are  sown  for  the 
express  purpose  of  furnlsiiing  food  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  succu- 
lent grasses  are  not  abundant. 

As  forage  crops  are  not  often  needed  while  succulent  grasses 
abound,  unless  where  a  more  or  less  complete  system  of  soiling  is  fol- 
lowed, there  is  usually  no  demand  for  them  before  the  first  of  July,  and 
in  moist  seasons  they  may  not  be  required  until  a  period  considerably 
later.  The  one  exception  Is  the  early  soring  vvhen  the  grasses  are  just 
beginning  to  waken  Into  life,  and  the  only  forage  crop  that  can  render 
service  at  such  a  time  is  winter  rye. 

Winter  Rye.— Both  winter  and  summ*r  rye  are  frequently  sown 
as  forage  crops,  but  the  former  Is  decidedly  the  superior  of  the  two  for 
the  use  Indicated,  In  all  sections  of  the  Northwest,  and  in  all  the  north- 
ern portions  of  the  United  States-  It  Is  superior  for  the  reason  first, 
that  it  may  be  sown  in  the  autumn  when  the  press  of  farm  work  is  not 
so  great;  second,  that  in  moist  seasons  it  will  furnish  pasture  In  both 
autumn  and  sprhig  and  also  a  crop  of  grain  when  such  a  crop  is  wanted; 
and  third,  It  may  be  followed  by  another  crop  the  same  season  after  it 
has  been  pastured  both  in  the  autumn  and  In  the  spring.  When  a 
cultivated  crop  comes  after  a  crop  of  rye,  there  Is  but  little  chance  for 
weed  life  to  make  any  headway  or  Indeed  to  survive.  Summer  rye  can 
only  be  made  to  produce  forage  at  a  time  when  some  other  foods  may 
be  better  utilized  for  the  same  purpose. 


ii 

i  ! 


■   V 


J    >l 


52       Cra5J«,  C/cvm,  /-/^A/  /?gg^.  fora^^'  a»'i  f^^'i'^'r  f''^'*''' 


Winter  rve  may  be  made  to  furnish  excellent  pasture  for  sheep  and 


lambs  both  In  the  autumn 
and  In   the   spring,   but 
especially   In    the   early 
spring.    At  that  season  It 
grows  more  rapidly  than 
grass,  and   consequently 
furnishes  forage  some- 
what earlier.    And  when 
rye  Is  then  accessible  for 
pasturage,  the  stock  may 
be  kept  off  the  grass  pas- 
tures until  the  latter  have 
made  a  good  start.  When 
sheep  are  pastured  upon 
It  In  the  spring.  It  may  be 
found  profitable  to  divide 
the  field  Into  two  or  three 
sections  and  to  pasture 
the  sheep  successively  on 
each  In  a  regular  alterna- 
tion. The  rye  Is  then  given 
a  chance  to  grow  up  fresh 
and  tender  during  the  ces- 
sations of  the  periods  of 
pasturage.   It  will  furnish 
an  excellent  pasture  for 
milch  cows  and  other  cat- 
tle, more  particularly  In 
the  spring.  But  If  pastured 
by  this  class  of  stock.  It 
is  more  advantageous  to 
have  a  grass  pasture  as 
well,  upon  which  the  cat- 
tle may  graze  in  periods 
alternating  with  those  dur- 
ln<?r  which  they  are  allowed 
to  graze   upon   the  rye. 


\ 


AKBXB  Wnrnm  Kn. 


This  crop  will  also  furnish 
a  most  excellent  pasture 
for  swine,  both  In  autumn 
and  spring,  but  more  es- 
pecially In    the   spring. 
Care  should  be  taken  not 
to  crop  the  rye  too  closely 
In  the  autumn,  lest  it  be 
injured   by  the  severity 
of  the  winter  following. 
When  rye  Is  being  pas- 
tured. It  should  not  be  al- 
lowed to  grow  tail  before 
It  is  eaten,  or  it  will  not  be 
relished  by  the  stock. 

In  case  a  crop  of  ma- 
tured grain  Is  wanted  the 
pasturing  must  not  con- 
tinue too  long.    The  time 
at  which  it  should  cease 
will  vary  with  climate,  lo- 
cality and  soil,  but  in  the 
Northwest  it  should  sel- 
dom be  continued  longer 
than  the  middle  of  May, 
and  on   light  and  poor 
soils  It  should  cease  at  a 
period  considerably  ear- 
lier.   Some  of  the  crops 
that  may  follow  rye  dur- 
ing the  same  season  in 
which  it  has  been  pas- 
tured,  are  as   follows— 
corn,  sorghum,  rape,  man- 
gels and  turnips. 

Rye  as  a  forage  crop 
may  be  grown  on  almost 


1 


tier  Plants. 

:ure  for  sheep  and 
>  will  also  furnish 
excellent  pasture 
(,  both  In  autumn 
ng,  but  more  es- 
in    the    spring, 
ould  be  taken  not 
he  rye  too  closely 
lutumn,  lest  It  be 
by  the  severity 
winter  following. 
rye  Is  being  pas- 
should  not  be  al- 

0  grow  tall  before 
:n,  or  It  will  not  be 

1  by  the  stock, 
ase  a  crop  of  ma- 
aln  Is  wanted  the 
)g  must  not  con- 

0  long.  The  time 
:h  it  should  cease 
ry  with  climate,  lo- 
ind  soil,  but  In  the 
rest  it  should  sel- 
e  continued  longer 
le  middle  of  May, 

1  light  and  poor 
should  cease  at  a 
considerably  ear- 
Some  of  the  crops 
lay  follow  rye  dur- 
e  same  season  in 

It  has  been  pas- 
are  as  follows— 
orghum,  rape,  man- 
id  turnips, 
e  as  a  forage  crop 
e  grown  on  almost 


Forage  Crops, 


SS 


any  kind  of  soil.  It  will  grow  In  magnificent  condition  as  a  pasture 
on  soil  so  rich  that  It  would  not  mature  in  best  form  a  giod  crop  of 
grain.  But  It  is  more  common  to  sow  It  upon  poor  soils  for  forage, 
since  when  pastured,  it  tends  to  Improve  rather  than  to  impoverish 
them.  Kye  is  peculiarly  the  grain  crop  for  light,  sandy  soils,  as  it  hns 
much  power  to  search  for  and  take  up  plant  food  from  the  earth.  The 
varieties  of  winter  rye  are  not  so  numerous  as  those  of  the  other  cereals. 
The  newer  kinds  have  not  yet  been  able  to  drive  the  old  and  well  tried 
ones  out  of  the  field. 

The  ground  may  be  prepared  for  rye  by  simply  plowing  after  some 
grain  crop  has  been  removed  from  It.  In  the  east  it  may  be  plowed 
deeply  with  advantage,  but  In  the  v/est  and  more  especially  In  prairie 
soils,  it  should  be  plowed  lightly,  because  of  different  soil  and  climatic 
conditions. 

The  time  for  sowing  will  depend  to  a  considerable  extent  on  the 
moisture  in  the  soil.  While  It  Is  well  to  have  the  ground  ready  as  soon 
as  possible  after  the  harvest  season,  it  will  not  avail  to  sow  the  rye  so 
long  as  there  is  not  enougK  moisture  In  the  soil  to  cause  germination. 
The  lack  of  moisture  would  probably  cause  the  seed  to  spoil,  at  leas! 
In  some  Instances.  After  the  land  has  been  made  ready  the  rye  cannot 
be  sown  too  early  when  there  is  sufficient  moisture  In  the  soil  to 
germinate  the  seed.  It  must  be  kept  from  jointing  the  same  season, 
however,  by  pasturing  it  when  necessary,  or  it  would  be  useless  for 
any  purpose  the  following  spring.  Rye  should  not  be  sown  so  late 
that  the  plants  have  not  time  to  get  a  firm  hold  on  the  soil,  or  the  win- 
ter may  kill  them. 

The  seed  should  be  liberally  applied.  While  one  and  one-half 
bushels  per  acre  sown  with  the  drill  may  be  an  abundant  seeding  for  a 
grain  crop,  two  and  one-half  bushels  will  not  be  excessive  when  sown 
as  a  forage  crop.  The  reasons  are  so  apparent  as  to  render  explanation 
unnecessary.  The  seed  should  be  sown  with  the  grain  drill  when 
practicable. 

There  does  not  seem  to  be  any  good  reason  why  rye  should  not  be 
sown  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  on  every  farm  in  the  Northwest  on 
which  live  stock  is  numerously  kept.  It  will  doubtless  come  Into 
great  favor  as  a  forage  crop  In  the  near  future. 

Nearly  all  winter  rye  shows,  v/hen  harvested,  quite  a  percentage 
of  withered  or  shrunken  kernels,  causing  considerable  loss  when 


1 


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i 


)  I 


;  1 


M 


■■  ii 


•f  I  •' 
1      if 


p .  't' 

r 


n.> 


54       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants, 

•w  ••  '         ~  '   — ' — — — -  — - 

milled  or  marketed.  The  Northrup,  Braslan,  Goodwin  Co.  have  lately 
Introduced  a  variety  called  the  "Amber  Winter  Rye"  which  seems  to 
be  almost  entirely  free  from  this  objection,  the  grain  being  uniformly 
sound  and  handsome. 

Rape Rape  Is  one  of  the  most  useful  forage  plants  that  can  be 

grown.  As  it  is  comparatively  a  new  plant  In  nearly  all  sections  of  the 
United  States,  a  description  of  it  may  be  necessary.  In  appearance  it 
resembles  closely  the  Swedish  or  rutabaga  varieties  of  the  turnip.  But 
this  resemblance  applies  only  to  the  tops.  The  roots  are  fusiform  and 
without  bulbs.  They  are  numerous,  ramify  In  all  directions,  and  go 
down  deeply  into  the  soil  in  search  of  food.  On  rich  soils  and  In  fa- 
vorable seasons,  the  tops  reach  the  height  of  from  two  and  a  half  to 
three  feet,  and  they  form  a  solid  mass  as  it  were  of  foliage  from  side  to 
side  of  the  field,  but  more  commonly  the  plants  do  not  grow  higher 
than  one  and  a  half  feet.  Some  varieties  rather  resemble  fall  than 
Swedish  turnips,  but  these  are  not  as  yet  in  favor  with  growers  in  this 
country. 

Rape  Is  better  adapted  to  moist  than  to  dry  climates,  and  to  those 
of  moderate  rather  than  warm  temperature.  It  Is  particularly  well 
adapted  to  the  climate  of  the  New  England  states  and  Canada  from 
Lake  Huron  eastward,  but  Is  scarcely  so  well  adapted  to  that  of  the 
west  and  Northwest,  although  magnificent  crops  can  be  grown  in  these 
states  under  certain  conditions.  It  will  probably  be  less  well  adapted 
to  the  states  further  to  the  south,  atthough  there  does  not  seem  to  be 
any  good  reason  why  rape  should  not  furnish  excellent  forage  for  win- 
ter use  in  mild  latitudes  to  the  southward.  It  seems  to  produce  excel  lent 
results  in  the  moist  latitudes  between  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the 
Pacific.  Outside  of  Canada,  experience  In  growing  rape  on  this  con- 
tinent Is  not  extensive,  but  there  Is  good  reason  to  expect  that  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  acres  of  this  plant  will  be  grown  in  the  Northern  states 
of  the  Union  In  the  near  future. 

Rape  furnishes  fine  forage  for  sheep  and  lambs,  and  In  great 
abundance  when  a  good  "stand"  is  obtained.  A  good,  medium  crop 
should  yield  from  10  to  12  tons  per  acre.  And  Its  fattening  properties 
are  probably  twice  as  good  as  those  of  clover.  The  sheep  may  be 
turned  in  upori  It  when  it  is  fully  grown,  that  is  to  say  from  eight  to 
ten  weeks  after  It  has  been  sown.  They  should  not  be  put  into  it 
when  hungry,  or  they  may  eat  too  much  at  first.    It  Is  safer  to  turn 


der  Plants. 

1  Co.  have  lately 
'  which  seems  to 
being  uniformly 

ants  that  can  be 
ill  sections  of  the 
In  appearance  it 
the  turnip.  But 
are  fusiform  and 
Irectlons,  and  (;o 
I  soils  and  in  fa- 
10  and  a  half  to 
iage  from  side  to 
not  grow  higher 
semble  fail  than 
1  growers  in  this 

:es,  and  to  those 
particularly  well 
nd  Canada  from 
ed  to  that  of  the 
>e  grown  in  these 
ess  well  adapted 
%  not  seem  to  be 
>t  forage  for  win- 
produce  excel  lent 
ountalns  and  the 
ape  on  this  con- 
wet  that  hundreds 
e  Northern  states 

bs,  and  In  great 
lod,  medium  crop 
ttening  properties 
ie  sheep  may  be 
ay  from  eight  to 
ot  be  put  into  it 
t  i9  safer  to  turn 


Foraffe  Crops. 


5? 


them  In  upon  It  in  the  morning  after  the  dew  has  lifted,  and  when 
once  turned  upon  it  they  may  be  allowed  to  remain  until  the  field  is 
eaten  off.  Or,  they  may  be  accustomed  to  it  by  degrees,  puttinR  them  on 
it  but  a  short  time  at  first  and  then  gradually  extending  the  tfme  from 
day  to  day,  until  finally  they  are  allowed  to  remain  upon  it  all  the  time. 


DwABr  KasEX  Rape.   {.Brcmlea  eampent)  is.) 

The  second  method  Is  the  safer,  but  in  dry  weather  it  will  not  be  neces- 
sary probably  to  take  so  much  trouble.  The  practice  of  having  an  old, 
grass  pasture  at  hand  is  a  good  one.  The  sheep  will  eat  some  of  the 
grass,  hence  the  rape  is  not  so  liable  to  produce  undue  laxness  of  the 


\n 


i 


':  ■■■ 

.   7      -lb 


56       CrassfS,  C/overs,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

bowels.  An  acre  of  rape  should  furnish  forage  for  from  ten  to  fifteen 
sheep  for  two  months.  At  the  end  of  that  time  the  sheep  should  be  fat 
enough  for  ordinary  marketing.  They  do  not  need  any  additional  grain 
ration  when  on  the  rape,  nor  do  they  require  water,  but  they  must 
have  access  to  salt  at  all  times. 

Rape  will  also  furnish  excellent  pasture  for  cattle,  but  they  waste 
more  than  sheep  by  trampling  It  under  foot.  There  Is  some  danger  of 
Injury  from  bloating,  with  cattle  as  well  as  with  sheep,  when  they  are 
put  upon  It  while  the  leaves  are  moist  from  the  Influence  of  dew  or 
rain,  and  the  same  precautions  are  necessary  with  the  former  as  with 
the  latter  when  they  are  first  turned  In  upon  It.  Many  persons  prefer 
to  pasture  cattle  upon  rape  during  a  portion  of  the  day  only.  During 
the  other  portion  they  graze  them  upon  a  grase  pasture  or  feed  them 
dry  food  in  the  yard  or  stable. 

And  rape  also  provides  a  very  suitable  pasture  for  swine.  The 
swine  may  be  put  in  upon  It  at  any  time  after  It  is  far  enough  advanced 
In  growth,  and  they  may  be  left  in  upon  it,  or  allowed  access  to  It  at 
will,  as  may  be  desired.  Some  meal  or  grain  fed  in  addition  will  no 
doubt  prove  profitable.  No  danger  of  Injury  from  excessive  eating 
may  be  feared  with  swine,  as  witli  cattle  and  sheep.  Rape  may  also 
be  cut  and  fed  with  much  advantage  as  a  soiling  crop,  that  is,  a  crop 
cut  and  fed  while  yet  green  and  succulent,  to  live  stock.  It  is  particu- 
larly serviceable  when  thus  fed  as  a  food  factor  to  sheep  that  are  being 
made  ready  for  the  show  ring,  as  a  food  adjunct  for  swine,  more  es- 
pecially when  they  are  confined  to  the  pens,  and  also  as  a  food  adjunct 
for  milch  cows.  When  fed  to  milch  cows  It  is  safer  to  feed  the  rape 
after  rather  than  before  the  milking,  to  avoid  the  risk  of  tainting  the 
milk.  Rape  Is  an  excellent  food  for  producing  an  abundant  flow  of  milk. 

There  arc  several  varieties  of  rape,  some  of  which  arc  grown  ex- 
tensively In  Europe  for  their  seed.  But  the  only  variety  hitherto  found 
highly  useful  as  a  forage  plant  Is  the  Dwarf  Essex  (Brassica  camfies- 
Iris),  sometimes  spoken  of  as  English  rape.  It  does  not  blossom  the 
same  season  that  It  Is  sown,  but  bears  seed  the  second  season  In  lati- 
tudes where  the  severity  of  the  winter  does  not  kill  It.  The  Dwarf  or 
Essex  rape  will  not,  as  a  rule,  survive  the  winters  of  the  Northern 
states  or  of  Canada.  Those  kinds  which  produce  seed  the  same  season 
they  are  sown  have  not  been  found  profitable  as  forage  crops. 

Rape  Is  adapted  to  all  soils  suitable  for  growing  a  good  crop  of  tur- 


tm  I  I  iiiniwi 


riVr  Plants, 

m  ten  to  fifteen 
eep  should  be  fat 
additional  grain 
,  but  they  must 

!,  but  they  waste 
>  some  danger  of 
p,  when  they  arc 
uence  of  dew  or 
e  former  as  with 
ly  persons  prefer 
ly  only.  During 
ire  or  feed  them 

for  swine.  The 
mough  advanced 
ed  access  to  it  at 

addition  will  no 
excessive  eating 

Rape  may  also 
)p,  that  is,  a  crop 
:l<.  It  is  particu- 
ep  that  are  being 

swine,  more  es- 
as  a  food  adjunct 
•  to  feed  the  rape 
k  of  tainting  the 
ant  flow  of  milk. 
:h  arc  grown  ex- 
ty  hitherto  found 
Brassica  campts- 
%  not  blossom  the 
nd  season  In  lati- 
,    The  Dwarf  or 

of  the  Northern 

the  same  season 
e  crops, 
good  crop  of  tur- 


Foragf  CroPf, 


?7 


nips,  that  is  to  say,  It  will  grow  well  on  good,  moist  loams  of  free  tex- 
ture. But  it  will  also  yield  abiinJji\t  crops  on  some  soils  not  well 
suited  to  the  growth  of  turnips,  as  tor  instance  the  muck  soils  found  In 
swamps.  It  requires  soils  rich  in  vegetable  matter.  Rape  will  grow 
well  on  all  prairie  soils  that  are  rich  natiirilly  or  made  so.  But  It  will 
not  produce  good  crops  on  light  sands  until  they  are  first  enriched,  nor 
will  it  give  good  <;rops  ordinarily  on  stiff  clays. 

The  preparation  of  tlie  soil  for  rape,  the  time  of  sowing  the  seed, 
the  amount  of  seed  required  and  the  cultivation  needed,  will  depend  to 
some  extent  on  the  object  for  which  it  Is  grown,  and  also  to  a  consid- 
erable degree  on  the  place  given  to  It  In  the  rotation.  But  the  place 
assigned  it  in  the  rotation  is  also  modified  by  the  object  for  which  it  is 
grown.  When  rape  Is  grown  as  a  cleaning  crop,  as  well  as  to  produce 
forage.  It  should  be  sown  in  raised  drills  in  the  east,  but  In  rows  on  the 
level  in  the  west,  so  that  it  may  be  cultivated.  Where  It  Is  the  only 
crop  grown  upon  the  land  during  the  same  season,  the  preparation  of 
the  soil  and  the  mode  of  sowing  the  seed  will  be  essentially  the  same 
as  in  growing  a  crop  of  turnips,  described  In  Chapter  VI.,  in  treating  of 
field  roots,  but  a  less  amount  of  rape  seed  will  suffice.  When  alt  the  soil 
conditions  are  right  It  Is  not  necessary  to  sow  more  than  from  one  to  two 
pounds  of  rape  seed  per  acre  with  drill  culture.  The  cultivation  may 
also  be  the  same  as  for  turnips,  with  the  difference  that  the  rape  does 
not  of  necessity  require  to  be  thinned  like  turnips  when  a  reasonable 
amount  of  seeci  has  been  used.  A  long  period  Is  thus  secured  for  re- 
moving noxious  weeds  and  weed  seeds  from  the  upper  section  of  the 
soil.  Owing  to  the  late  season  at  which  the  rape  is  sown,  the  ground 
may  be  made  measurably  clean  before  the  crop  is  put  into  the  soil, 

When  thus  grown  the  seed  may  be  best  sown  in  the  east  from 
about  the  middle  of  June  until  the  middle  of  July,  but  in  some  in- 
stances it  may  be  sown  later  than  the  date  mentioned.  In  the  west 
and  Northwest  a  somewhat  later  period  would  seem  to  be  preferable, 
when  there  Is  sufficient  moisture  In  the  soil  to  start  the  rape  growing. 
When  rape  is  sown  early  In  the  spring  a  rapid  growth  may  be  secured 
for  a  time,  but  as  the  hot  weather  of  early  summer  comes  on  it  loses  its 
bloom.  The  color  fades  to  a  pale  green  or  a  yellow,  and  some  of  the 
(eaves  become  crisp  and  dead.  It  has  been  claimed  that  when  rape 
sown  thus  early  is  eaten  off  before  arrested  development  Is  noticeable, 
the  crop  will  grow  freely  again,  and  the  claim  may  be  just,  but  experl- 


%i       Grantifs,  Clovers,  Field  fiooU,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

ence  on  this  point  Is  as  yet  too  limited  In  the  Northwest  to  follow  It  as 
a  safe  %\i\i\t. 

When  rape  comes  after  a  crop  of  rye  which  has  been  pastured,  It 
may  be  grown  as  a  cleanInK  crop  and  to  produce  fnraKe,  or  simply  for 
the  latter  purpose.  If  sown  as  a  cleanlnK  crop  It  should  be  ^rown  In 
drills,  or  when  the  land  Is  not  rich  the  same  mode  of  culture  should  be 
adopted  to  stimulate  growth.  But  where  the  soil  Is  rich  and  the  one 
object  Is  to  grow  forage,  it  Is  then  sown  broadcast  and  covered  with  a 
light  harrow.  When  rape  Is  thus  grown,  from  three  to  six  pounds  of 
seeil  per  acre  are  used. 

Where  rape  is  grown  as  a  catch  crop  and  for  forage  uses,  it  is  sown 
variously,  sometimes  af?!ig  with  cereal  grains  in  the  spring.  When 
thus  sown,  about  two  pounds  ot  seed  per  acre  are  used.  In  some  in- 
stances it  will  not  grow  to  give  any  profitable  return.  In  other  Instances 
It  will  grow,  but  not  so  as  to  hinder  development  in  the  grain  crop,  and 
after  the  tatter  has  been  cut.  It  will  come  on  and  furnish  a  goodly 
amount  of  forage.  And  in  yet  other  Instances  It  will  grow  so  rapidly 
as  to  damage  the  grain  crop  which  has  nursed  It,  so  that  discrimination 
must  be  used  as  to  the  soils  on  whk<i  it  should  be  sown  when  the  at- 
tempt is  made  to  grow  it  by  this  method. 

Oftentimes  It  Is  sown  broadcast  on  the  bare  fallow.  This  is  a 
grand  way  to  grow  rape  wherever  the  bare  fallow  system  is  practiced. 
The  cleaning  of  the  land  for  the  fallow  may  commence  the  previous 
autumn.  By  the  time  that  the  rape  should  be  sown  the  fallow  will  be 
measurably  clean,  and  It  ought  to  grow  a  fine  crop  of  rape.  The  pas- 
turing of  the  rape  will  mal<e  the  land  firm,  so  that  a  good  crop  of  grain 
is  likely  to  be  grown  upon  it  the  following  season.  The  land  should 
not  be  ploughed  again  before  the  grain  is  sown.  This  method  has 
succeeded  well  In  JVianitoba,  and  In  all  the  Northwest  it  should  bring 
with  It  the  opportunity  to  grow  thousands  and  thousands  of  acres  of  rape. 

At  other  times  rape  may  be  sown  broadcast  after  some  cereal  or 
hay  crop  has  matured  and  been  harvested.  It  may  follow  wheat,  rye, 
barley,  oats,  peas  or  meadow.  When  It  comes  after  any  one  of  the 
cereal  crops  named  the  land  will  simply  require  stirring  with  some 
for,n  of  cultivator,  if  not  weedy,  but  If  Infested  with  weeds  it  will  need 
ploughing.  When  there  is  a  lack  of  moisture  no  good  result  will  follow 
the  sowing  of  the  seed,  but  if  showers  come  a  good  crop  may  be  ob- 
tained unless  on  hungry  soils. 


■MMMta 


r  Plants. 


:  to  follow  It  u 

en  pastured,  It 
!,  or  simply  for 
Id  be  Rrown  In 
Iture  should  be 
h  and  ths  one 
covered  with  a 
)  six  pounds  of 

jses,  It  Is  sown 
iprlnff.  When 
I.  In  some  In* 
other  Instances 
{rain  crop,  and 
nish  a  goodly 
;row  so  rapidly 
discrimination 
n  when  the  at- 

}w.  This  Is  a 
m  Is  practiced, 
e  the  previous 
fallow  will  be 
ape.  The  pas> 
d  crop  of  grain 
he  land  should 
lis  method  has 
it  should  bring 
if  acres  of  rape, 
some  cereal  or 
jw  wheat,  rye, 
my  one  of  the 
ing  with  some 
ids  It  will  need 
suit  will  follow 
rop  may  be  ob- 


Foragt  Crofis, 


M 


And  at  vet  other  times  rape  Is  sown  In  a  crop  of  standing  corn,  Just 
before  the  la<it  cultivating  given  to  the  corn.  Experience  In  growing 
rape  by  this  mode  also  is  limited,  and  so  tar  as  it  has  gone  the  results 
have  been  fairly  encouraging.  But  further  experiments  In  thus  grow* 
Ing  rape  may  prove  more  satisfactory. 

Com.— Corn  more  properly  comes  under  the  head  of  fodder  crops. 
Hence  the  growing  of  corn  Is  described  at  length  In  Chapter  V.  which 
treats  of  this  class  of  crops.  But  there  Is  a  strong  probability  <hat  thou- 
sands of  acies  of  corn  will  yet  be  grown  In  the  Northwest  to  furnish 
forage  for  sheep.  It  would  not  answer  so  well,  perhaps,  to  provide 
pasture  for  cattle,  since  they  would  probably  destioy  much  of  the  corn 
while  it  was  being  pastured. 

When  corn  is  grown  to  provide  forage  for  sheep.  It  may  be  sown 
on  any  kind  of  land  suitable  for  an  ordinary  crop  of  corn  grown  for 
otiier  uses,  as  for  Instance  either  grain  or  fodder.  It  may  be  grown 
very  suitably  In  conjunction  with  rye  and  rape,  that  Is  to  saj,  the  corn 
could  be  made  to  follow  the  rye,  and  could  in  turn  be  followed  by  rape 
after  the  corn  had  been  pastured,  providing,  first,  that  the  corn  was 
eaten  off  sufficiently  early  to  admit  of  this,  and  second,  that  there  wu 
enough  moisture  in  the  soil  to  secure  germination  of  the  rape  seed. 

When  corn  Is  grown  for  this  purpose,  It  may  be  advantageous  to 
divide  the  field  or  plot  Into  two  or  three  sections.  The  first  section 
would  be  sown  as  early  In  the  season  as  the  corn  could  be  put  Into  the 
ground  with  safety,  the  second  at  an  Interval  of  two  or  three  weeks, 
and  the  third  at  a  corresponding  Interval  after  the  Planting  of  the  sec- 
ond plot.  The  season  of  pasturing  would  then  be  prolonged  for  a 
period  of  two  or  three  months. 

The  corn  could  be  sown  with  the  rain  drill.  From  one  to  two 
bushels  of  seed  would  be  used.  Preference  should  be  given  to  such  of 
the  strong  growing  varieties  as  come  under  the  head  of  sweet  corn. 
When  the  corn  appears  above  the  surface  of  the  soil,  it  may  be  har- 
rowed with  a  light  harrow,  and  tiie  work  of  thus  harrowing  the  corn 
may  be  repeated  a  second  time  to  keep  the  weeds  In  check  and  to  en- 
courage the  growth  of  the  corn. 

The  most  suitable  stage  In  the  growth  of  the  corn  at  which  to  turn 
In  the  sheep  Is  yet  problematical,  but  it  should  not  be  deferred  until 
the  corn  gets  so  high  and  woody  that  the  sheep  will  not  eat  It  off  read- 
ily.   The  corn  would  probably  require  to  get  as  high  as  the  backs  of 


M       Grtu$ft,  Ctovtrs,  Fitid  KocH^ 


Fodder  Plamti. 


ihe  sheep  before  pasturing  benlns.    A  crop  of  corn  thus  depastured 
would  lurnbh  many  tons  of  Kreen  food  per  acre. 

Experience  In  uslnu  corn  as  i  forage  crop  Is  almost  entirely  lack* 
ing.  With  the  exception  of  his  own  experience,  extending  over  but 
one  season,  the  writer  Is  unable  to  furnish  that  of  any  other.  The  datn 
upon  which  to  base  anv  positive  conclusion  Is  therefore  Insufficient. 
But  there  Is  no  good  reason  apparent  why  corn  should  not  be  thus 
used  with  great  advantage  In  providing  succulent  forage  for  sheep  at  a 
season  of  the  year  when  It  Is  much  needed. 


v 
\   »* 


And  here  It  may  be  well  to  add,  even  at  the  risk  of  digressing,  that 
In  the  judgment  of  the  writer  wide  areas  In  the  Northwest  are  admir- 
ably adapted  to  the  growing  of  sheep.  The  winters  are  all  that  could 
be  desired  for  this  purpose  In  a  country  of  low  temperatures.  The  only 
serious  difficulty  to  be  confronted  arising  from  conditions  which  relate 
to  soil  and  climate  is  the  lack  of  succulent  fodder  during  the  late  sum- 
mer and  the  autumn  months.    It  is  highly  Important,  therefore,  that 


hus  depastured 

It  entirely  lack- 
ndinK  over  but 
ther.  The  data 
ore  Insufficient, 
uld  not  t>e  thus 
e  for  sheep  at  a 


dlKtessing.that 
west  are  admir- 
re  all  that  could 
ures.  The  only 
)ns  which  relate 
ig  the  late  sum- 
:,  therefore,  that 


§0r»g*  Cr*^, 


61 


much  attention  should  be  given  to  the  growth  of  forage  crops  to  carry 
the  sheep  on  Into  the  winter  In  a  good  condlllon  of  Ihrllt.  There  seems 
to  be  no  gmid  reason  why  sheep  should  not  be  grown  In  greatly  In- 
creased numbers  and  of  the  finest  quality.  It  would,  of  course,  be  ne<- 
fssarv  to  Improve  the  breeding  of  th«  theep  M  •  -'I  as  to  Improve  the 
autumn  forage. 


KAmB  UORM 

Kaffir  Corn.— There  does  not  appear  to  be  any  good  reason  why 
Kaffir  corn  should  not  b»  successfully  grown  as  a  forage  crop. 


It  Is  of 


JM 


M       Graitti,  C/Mtn,  Fitld  Rooh.  Forant  ami  FotUhr  /Vii/»/i. 


r 


\ 
f  r 


Si  't 

I 


■  Itafv  habll  of  urowth  .mj  alto  bulky,  henct  It  provldM  a  lar|« 
amount  of  cxctllant  looJ.  It  Mem«  b«»i  aJaptrJ  tn  warm  latlt'jjft  and 
ha«  th«  power  of  hotJInu  out  aK;iln«t  the  InllueiKcs  of  drouKht  In  a 
m.irk««l  deRf  •  K  I**  bcconilnic  qtilte  popular  aa  a  MllinK  and  fodder 
pKint  tfj  Kansas  and  other  places,  but  e«»t>crlence  In  pa»turlni{  It  teem* 
to  be  wanllnjt.  When  grown  at  a  loraue  crop  It  may  be  sown  and 
managad  In  about  the  same  manner  at  corn  that  (s  grown  for  a  similar 
use.  The  mode  of  growing  corn  as  forage  has  already  been  given  In 
the  present  chapter.  When  grown  for  soiling  or  fodder  uses  It  should 
be  put  In  drills  and  cultivated  In  the  tame  way  as  corn  grown  for  the 
•llu  or  for  fodder.    See  Chapter  V.,  where  It  treats  of  corn. 


JSRIISALIM  COHN 

JertuMilein  Corn.— Jerusalem  corn,  like  Kaffir  corn,  described 
above,  Is  growing  In  favor.    It  may  b«  termed  a  sort  of  dwarfish  sof 


JM 


Ur  Hanh. 

jrovldn  A  large 
rm  UIK-jiJrt  anj 
of  drouKht  In  a 
tllInK  and  (odder 
iftvirltiK  It  Mcm< 
ay  b«  suwn  and 
iwn  for  a  similar 
ly  been  given  In 
er  uses  It  should 
ri)  grovwn  for  the 
orn. 


^V^^Pf  C^l^n 


AI 


V 


corn,  described 
o(  dwarliiii)  sor* 


ghum,  at  It  doe*  nut  usually  reach  the  height  of  more  than  three  or  four 
feet  But  It  does  not  possess  ih«  saaharlne  qiulitles  of  sor((<iun-.  It 
Is  branching  In  Its  habit  of  growth,  and  ea^h  branch  bears  a  head 
which  In  due  time  mature*  letd.  Like  Kaffir  corn  It  Is  a  good  plant  to 
withstand  drought.  Experience  seems  to  be  wanting  In  growing  It  for 
forage,  but  It  Is  at  least  well  worthy  of  trial  lor  luch  a  use.  The  method 
of  growing  Jerusalem  corn  f«r  forage  uses  would  be  about  the  vime  as 
that  of  growing  Indian  corn.  See  Corn,  In  a  preceding  paragraph  of 
tha  present  chapter. 

Jerusalem  corn  Is  becor.iing  more  %\\\  more  valueu  as  a  fodder 
plant.  When  used  as  fodder  It  may  be  grown  as  an  ordinary  corn 
crop.  See  Corn,  In  Chapter  V.  The  abundanc*  of  the  grain  which  It 
produces  greatly  adds  to  Its  feeding  value.  Hoth  Kaifir  corn  and  Jeru- 
Malem  corn  furnish  very  excellant  soiling  food  during  the  late  summer 
and  aiit'imn  months. 

Aorf  lium.  Sorghum  la  chiefly  grown  for  the  syrup  which  Is  ex* 
tracted  from  It,  but  It  Is  also  raised  to  some  extant  for  fodder,  and  there 
does  not  seem  to  be  any  reason  why  It  cannot  b«  grown  with  manlfwit 
advantage  to  provide  forage  for  sheep.  It  possesses  the  power  \\\  « 
marked  degree  of  sprouting  up  again  after  It  has  been  eaten  off,  Itenc* 
It  should  provide  forage  for  a  much  longer  period  th.in  corn.  As  It 
possesses  more  sug«r  than  corn,  It  should  be  much  relished  by  sheep 
and  Its  fattening  properties  are  of  a  hitih  order.  But  the  animals  must 
not  be  put  upon  a  sorghum  pasture  when  hungry,  leitt  they  eat  too 
freely  and  hirmful  results  follow.  They  shoi^id  rather  be  accustomed 
to  It  gradually.  And  this  remark  will  hold  true  when  any  kind  of 
succulent  pasture  Is  being  eaten. 

Sorghum  may  be  grown  for  forage  In  much  the  same  way  as  corn, 
the  culture  of  which  has  been  descTi'ied  in  a  preceding  section  of  the 
present  chapter.  As  with  corn  It  would  probably  be  wise  to  sow  the 
seed  at  Intervals  to  prolong  the  season  of  pasturage.  1  he  amount  of 
seed  required  per  acre  should  not  be  less  than  from  one-half  bushel  to 
three-fourths  of  a  br:.'iel,  and  In  some  Instances  an  amount  consider- 
ably larger  could  be  tsed  with  gre«t  advantage. 

The  most  suitable  stage  at  which  \u  tegin  the  depasturing  of 
sorghum  Is  yet  problematical,  and  indeed  the  same  thing  may  be  said 
ol  the  whole  quesibn  ji  producing  corn  as  r.  r'orage  crop,  Eiroerlence 
thus  far  wit  >  reference  to  it  seems  to  be  entirely  wanting.    Mut,  reas- 


vAv^^r 


64       Grassfs,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  ami  Fodder  Plants, 


oning  from  Reneral  principles,  there  seems  to  be  sufficient  cause  to  ex- 
pect that  larKe  areas  of  sorghum  will  yet  be  grown  to  provide  forage  for 
sheep.  It  would  be  well  probably  to  turn  the  sheep  In  on  the  sorghum 
after  It  had  reached  the  height  of  from  one  to  X^fo  feet  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground. 


Eahly  MiNNxsoTi.  SnoAR  Oanx  or  Sohgbdm. 

It  is  somewhat  surprising  that  sorghum  has  not  been  more  largely 
grown  in  the  Northwest  for  foraga,  soiling  and  fodder  purposes,  when 


-«3C- 


bMMa 


ulder  Plants, 


Relent  cause  to  ex- 
provide  forage  for 
In  on  the  sorRhum 
'eet  above  the  sur- 


\ 
\ 

\ 


i 

lUM. 

3een  more  largely 
r  purposes,  when 


Forage  Crops, 


65 


Its  excellence  for  these  uses  Is  considered.  It  ^  true  that  Its  value  In 
furnishing  pasture  Is  somewhat  problematical,  since  experience  is 
a  most  enth-ely  wanting  on  this  point.  But  substantial  reasons  may  be 
given  for  the  belief  that  It  will  yet  be  very  extensively  grown  as  pas- 
ture for  sheep  and  probably  also  for  cattle.  First,  It  is  a  quicl<  growing 
plant  after  It  has  once  made  a  good  start.  Second,  It  is  a  deep  and  a 
firm  rooted  plant,  and  hence  not  easily  displaced  in  the  soil.  Third  It 
has  the  power  of  growing  in  dry  weather  in  a  marked  degree;  and, 
fourth,  It  is  pre-eminently  M^  forage  plant  for  growing  up  quickly  again 
after  It  has  been  eaten  off.  But  It  Is  also  probable  that  much  care 
would  have  to  be  exercised  when  pasturing  it,  lest  the  animals  should 
suffer  more  or  less  from  bloating. 

As  to  the  value  of  sorghum  as  a  soiling  crop,  there  need  not  be  any 
doubt.  The  readiness  with  which  it  springs  up  when  cut  off  pre- 
em  nently  adapts  it  to  soiling  uses.  In  some  latitudes  two  or  three 
cut  ings  may  be  obtained.  It  would  assuredly  furnish  a  large  yield  on 
a  given  acreage  of  productive  soil. 

And  its  value  as  a  fodder  crop  has  also  been  proved,  though  prob- 
ably not  to  any  great  extent  in  the  Northwest.  When  thus  used  It  may 
be  sown  with  a  grain  drill,  as  for  forage.  It  should  be  allowed  to  reach 
an  advanced  stage  of  growth  before  It  is  cut  where  the  frost  does  not 
come  too  early.  If  frozen  before  it  has  been  cut  Its  feeding  value  is 
seriously  Injured.  When  cut  it  should  be  allowed  to  He  on  the  ground 
In  the  hot  sun  for  several  days,  until  It  Is  at  least  partially  cured. 
Should  rain  fall  on  It  when  thus  strewn  over  the  ground,  it  will  not 
t3ke  serious  harm,  as  would  corn  under  like  circumstances.  It  may 
then  be  thrown  Into  heaps,  larger  or  smaller  according  as  the  sorghum 
Is  more  or  less  succulent.  On  the  arrival  of  cool  weather  It  does  not 
spoil  when  In  heaps  or  coils,  as  would  corn.  It  Is  drawn  from  the 
heaps  and  fed  as  wanted.  Immense  areas  of  sorghum  will  doubtless 
be  thus  grown  for  fodder  In  the  Northwest  in  the  near  future. 

Sweet  CoraL-Sweet  corn  may  be  profitably  grown  as  a  forage 
crop  for  swIne.  The  mode  of  preparing  the  ground,  the  time  of  plant- 
ing the  seed  and  the  cultivation  suitable  for  the  crop  are  similar  to  the 
method  given  of  raising  corn  chiefly  for  the  grain  which  it  produces. 
See  Chapter  V.,  under  head  of  Corn. 

This  crop  Is  ready  to  be  fed  to  swine  as  soon  as  the  com  In  the  ear 
Has  reached  the  milk  stage,  or  even  at  a  period  somewhat  earlier,  and 


■   '^-*^*-«ifi.Jt  ^ 


66       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


feeding  it  may  be  continued  until  it  Is  so  far  matured  that  ttie  swine 
wiii  no  longer  consume  any  considerable  pro|)f>rtion  of  tlie  stall{.  If 
the  corn  is  planted  at  intervals  the  season  for  feeding  may  be  made  to 
extend  over  several  weeks. 

When  sweet  corn  Is  thus  fed  to  swine  It  Is  commoniy  carted  to 
them  and  fed  only  as  a  portion  of  the  ration.  To  turn  them  In  upon 
the  crop  is  considered  wasteful.  It  furnishes  an  excellent  food  adjunct 
when  given  along  with  grain.  If  any  of  the  crop  remains  after  it  has 
become  too  far  matured  to  be  fed  as  indicated,  It  may  be  cut  and  cured 
for  winter  fodder. 

Mangels.— Mangels  may  be  made  to  provide  an  excellent  forage 
crop  for  swine,  and  also  for  sheep.  The  method  of  growing  them 
would  be  the  same  as  described  in  Chapter  VI,  under  the  head  which 
treats  of  mangels.  There  would  not  be  the  same  necessity  for  thinning 
them  with  so  much  care  as  when  grown  for  winter  use,  hence  the 
labor  of  producing  the  crop  would  be  materially  lessened.  A  large 
quantity  of  food  per  acre  could  thus  be  furnished.  When  the  pastures 
were  dried  and  possibly  bare,  It  would  be  a  grand  thing  for  a  flock  of 
sheep  to  have  access  to  a  crop  of  mangels.  The  economical  plan  would 
be  to  allow  them  to  feed  upon  one  portion  of  the  crop  until  It  was  eaten 
clean,  and  then  to  give  them  access  to  another  portion,  and  again  to 
another,  until  the  whole  crop  was  consumed.  And  it  would  be  well  to 
so  arrange  that  ail  the  mangels  should  be  eaten  before  the  season  of 
frost  becomes  sufficiently  severe  to  bring  serious  harm  to  the  mangels. 

Swine  also  should  be  allowed  access  to  the  mangels,  and  much  after 
the  same  plan  as  suggested  above  for  pasturing  with  sheep,  But  t^ey 
would  require  some  grain  or  meal  in  addition  to  the  mangels,  more 
especially  it  they  were  soon  to  be  fattened  for  the  market.  But  with 
swine  It  would  probably  be  the  better  plan  where  small  lots  only  are  kept, 
to  cart  the  mangels  to  them  and  feed  them  along  with  other  food  in 
suitable  quantities,  large  or  small,  as  occasion  may  require. 

By  sowing  the  seed  early,  a  portion  of  the  crop  should  be  ready  for 
depasturing  not  later  than  the  middle  or  end  of  August,  hence  the  crop 
might  be  made  to  render  good  service  in  the  manner  indicated,  for  a 
period  of  at  least  two  months. 

Pall  Turnips.— Fall  turnips.  In  an  even  greater  degree  than  man 
gels,  can  be  m^de  to  serve  an  excellent  purpose  in  providing  forage  foi 
sheep,  and  at  a  less  outlay  for  labor  than  mangels.    But  on  the  other 


fder  Plants. 

!d  that  the  swine 
of  the  stalk.  If 
may  be  made  to 

nmoniy  carted  to 
rn  them  in  upon 
lent  food  adjunct 
nalns  after  it  has 
be  cut  and  cured 

I  excellent  forage 
3f  growing  them 
r  the  head  which 
ssity  for  thinning 
r  use,  hence  the 
issened.  A  large 
^hen  the  pastures 
ing  for  a  floci{  of 
micai  plan  would 
until  It  was  eaten 
ion,  and  again  to 
would  be  well  to 
fore  the  season  of 
1  to  the  mangels. 
Is,  and  much  after 
sheep,  But  t^ey 
le  mangels,  more 
larkel.  But  with 
lotsonly  are  kept, 
/Ith  other  food  in 
quire. 

lould  be  ready  for 
st,  hence  the  crop 
r  indicated,  for  a 

degree  than  man 
}vidlng  forage  foi 
But  on  the  other 


ForageCropi.  f^ 

ttm  wMr^'''"'T  "  °^"*  '"  some  degree  by  the  greater  certainty 
f^    cnl^      a  cropof  mangels  may  be  grown.  When  the  season  comes 

IL  spro"u'lig!  "''  *''  ''^  weather  oftentimes  hinders  the  S 

.,„«„\"'"'1'  ^l  ^™\''^*  ^°'^8»  ""^y  •"=  sown  upon  the  bare  fallow  or 
uTon  thTba'r".  f.1  f"  ''t\  ""'T  '^°'^*'"  ^'^'^ ''''  P'^'"^*'-  ^hen  raTsed 

ine  of  tSe  ?ir'  T'  "^^  T.^""''^  ""  '"^"«««'J  P^«^'o"«  to  the  sow- 
ing  of  the  turnips.  In  much  the  same  manner  as  though  It  were  to  be 

an?   Wh'"''  ?  '/'"""'''  '"  ''''^""«  w'^''  »"«  methods  o7growing 
\T\  ^^"  '^'f^  "P°"  "breaking,"  the  land  would  need  to  be  har 
rowed  before  and  after  sowing  the  seed.    The  seed  would  be  scattered 
broadcast,  and  at  the  rate  of  from  three  to  six  pounds  to  the  acre     iSe 

Augul'""^      '^°""'  "''"'*  ^™"'  """"'  -^"'y  '''  """'  "^^  '"''^'''«  «' 
No  further  labor  Is  necessary  after  the  crop  has  been  sown  until  It 
is  ready  for  being  depastured.  The  sheep  may  be  put  upon  the  turnips  n 

W  ren  favo^abr/'''  ""^  ^''"'"^  "^'"'^^  whTthe  Jondi  fons 
have  been  favorable  for  a  good  growth.  The  sheep  should  have  access 

V^r       Z  K 1!'  *°  '"""  *'*"*'■  '*'"''  °^  ^°«^'  «  «  «^3ss  pasture  for"n 

?:rs  croi'xSaptr  V?  "^"" ''' ''''-  '^-« ''-'''  -"^ «'-- 

«,.«,f  *'!'"''*f  •~^''"^^''*'  ""  ''*  K'OW"  "'"h  much  advantage  as  a  late 
summer  or  autumn  food  for  live  stock,  in  nearly  all  parts  of  fhe  Norfh 

croo  slnL  mZ*    ^      "^'■f  P™P"'y  ^"""'"^  ^  s°"'"K  than  a  fodder 

triSlv  slakf  ";' '?;r''* '"  ^''l  ^'^'^  ^^"'^ ''  ^^'^w-   And  it  is  not 
hlf^!- ♦k'^      ^.^  '°"'"«  "''P'  *'"«  't  's  allowed  to  reach  maturity 

sills,  from  five  to  seven  tons  per  acre  may  be  secured  with  ordinary  good 

management  and  in  a  normal  season.  "Quinary  gooa 

Many  varieties  of  squashes  may  be  grown,  but  those  which  hav.. 

a^e^tfSltre"?he  BoT'  ?'^'  f  "^^  ^"'^  ^'''^^  ^rowToIgotd  s'" 
are  preferable.  The  Boston  Favorite  is  among  the  more  suitable  varie- 

Field  squashes,  and  Indeed  any  kind  of  squashes,  grow  best  in 

tSls'wh^n  f?"'f  **'''^""  '"^ ''''  ^'"  «'-^-  a'dm'frably 
Iar«  amonnt  nf  H  ''"'"  '  ^^P^^^^undance  of  water,  owing  to  the 
large  amount  of   humus  or  vegetabJe  matter  which  they  contain 

Squashes  will  grow  well  on  what  may  be  termed  good   rkh  W 


..bil— 


68       Cr asset,  Cloiiirs,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

soils.    It  Is  useless  to  plant  them  on  poor  soils  with  the  expectation  at 
the  same  time  of  getting  a  good  crop. 

The  preparation  of  the  soil  for  a  crop  of  field  squashes  Is  essentially 
the  same  as  for  a  crop  of  corn,  see  Chapter  V.  But  there  Is  this  dif- 
ference. On  soils  that  are  not  leechy  the  ground  should  be  marked  off 
both  ways  In  the  autumn  by  drawing  lines  over  It  with  some  kind  of 
marker  at  intervals  of  eight  feet.  At  the  points  of  intersection  two  or 
three  shovelfuls  of  earth  are  taken  out  and  laid  aside,  A  good  large 
forkful  or  more  of  well  fermented  farmyard  manure  Is  put  into  the 
cavity  made,  and  the  earth  which  was  removed  Is  put  back  In  place. 
To  preserve  the  exact  spot  where  the  lines  Intersect,  it  may  be  well  to 
use  small  pegs  or  stakes  placed  upright  In  the  ground.  On  leechy 
soils,  the  marking  out  of  the  ground  and  the  application  of  the  manure 
had  better  be  delayed  until  the  spring.  The  ground  should  be  har- 
rowed  occasionally  In  the  spring  until  the  squash  seeds  are  planted. 


B08TOX  Fatobitb  Squash. 

The  planting  of  the  seed  should  be  deferred  until  the  soil  is  warm 
and  all  danger  from  spring  frosts  is  past.  The  time  of  planting, 
therefore,  may  commence  during  the  latter  part  of  May,  and  can  be  ex- 
tended  well  on  into  the  month  of  June. 

The  seeds  may  be  put  into  the  soil  with  tr.e  hand  corn  planter, 
and  care  should  be  taken  to  cluster  them  around  the  spot  enriched  with 
the  manure.  In  other  words  the  hills  should  be  In  straight  lines  which 
do  not  extend  widely,  for  the  sake  of  convenience  In  the  after  cultiva- 
tion.  From  six  to  eight  or  ten  plants  may  be  put  Into  a  hill,  to  make 
ture  that  there  will  be  no  blanks,  but  before  the  plants  crowd  each 


, 


r  Plants. 


sxpectation  at 

sis  essentially 
re  Is  this  dif- 
be  marl<ed  off 
some  l<lnd  of 
action  two  or 
A  good  large 
put  into  the 
back  In  place, 
lay  be  well  to 
>  On  leecliy 
of  ttie  manure 
lould  be  liar* 
ire  planted. 


s  soil  is  warm 
:  of  planting, 
ind  can  be  ex- 
corn  planter, 
enriclied  with 
;ht  lines  which 
after  cultiva* 
hill,  tc  make 
9  crowd  each 


Forage  Crops.  59 

other  In  the  hill,  they  should  all  be  removed  but  three  or  four  of  the 
strongest  ones.  From  three  to  four  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  will  be 
sufficient. 

Cultivation  should  begin  soon  after  the  seed  has  been  planted,  to 
keep  down  all  weed  growth.  It  should  be  shallow  and  frequent  until 
It  is  hindered  by  the  vines  running  over  the  soil.  Some  hand  hoeing 
will  probably  be  needed  around  the  hiiis. 

When  ready  for  feeding  the  squashes  are  carted  to  the  feeding 
place.  Although  excellent  for  milch  cows,  it  is  more  common  to  feed 
them  to  swine.  They  are  at  once  a  nutritious  and  palatable  food.  When 
fed  to  swine  that  are  being  fattened,  they  should  only  form  a  moderate 
proportion  of  the  whole  ration.  They  are  especially  valuable  when  fed 
to  pigs  confined  to  a  forcing  ration  of  corn,  because  of  the  favorable  in- 
fluence which  they  exert  upon  digestion. 

xxtv.  '^'"''^  squashes  may  also  be  grown  along  with  a  crop  of  corn. 
When  thus  grown,  planting  them  in  the  corn  is  usually  deferred  until 
the  corn  has  been  harrowed,  which  should  take  place  soon  after  it  ap- 
pears above  ground.  If  planted  as  early  as  the  corn,  the  squash  vines 
would  probably  interfere  with  the  cultivation  of  the  corn.  A  crop  of 
squashes  grown  In  this  way  Is  therefore  later  than  when  it  is  the  sole 
crop  on  the  ground,  and  the  squashes  are  of  a  smaller  size. 

Pumpkins.- Pumpkins  may  be  grown  after  the  same  manner  as 
squashes,  and  they  may  be  devoted  to  the  same  uses,  but  pumpkins 
are  more  in  favor  as  a  food  for  milch  cows  than  for  swine.  It  is  more 
common  also  to  grow  the  pumpkins  along  with  torn,  or  even  with 
potatoes.  But  the  frequent  harrowings  now  recommended  for  both  corn 
and  potatoes  will  certainly  tend  to  discourage  the  effort  to  grow  them 
along  with  either  of  these  crops. 

When  an  orchard  has  reached  that  stage  in  which  It  Is  thought 
prudetjt  to  cease  growing  cereals  upon  it,  and  at  the  same  time  it  is  con- 
sidered  advisable  to  stir  the  soil  in  the  same  to  agreateror  lesser  extent 
during  the  spring  and  early  summer,  a  crop  of  pumpkins  or  squashes 
may  be  grown  with  manifest  advantage.  The  shade  of  the  orchard  is 
probably  helpful  to  the  crops  named,  and  these  in  turn  protect  the  soil 
so  as  to  keep  it  more  moist  than  it  would  otherwise  be. 

Pe«.— Field  peas  may  be  grown  a  a  forage  crop,  particularly  for 
swine.  If  pastured  by  other  kinds  0  live  stock  much  of  the  crop 
would  be  wasted.   It  would  be  trodden  down  and  soiled,  hence  the 


*-  - 


70       Grassfs,  Ctovtrt^  FUURttU,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

soiled  portions  would  be  left  uneaten  by  sheep  and  cattle;  but  with 
swine  the  waste  of  food  will  not  be  nearly  so  great. 

This  crop  Is  peculiarly  adapted  to  temperate  climates,  humid  rather 
than  dry  in  character,  and  cool  rather  than  very  hot  In  the  summer.  It 
will  grow  readily  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  Northwest,  but  in  the  south- 
ern portion  of  the  Northwestern  states  lying  along  the  Canadian  boun- 
dary, average  yields  may  not  be  looked  for,  equal  to  those  in  the 
northern  portion  of  the  same  states,  or  on  the  Canadian  side  of  the 
line,  although  In  some  seasons  good  crops  may  be  secured  further 
south  than  the  northern  tier  of  states.  Hot  winds  are  very  hurtful  to 
the  yield  of  grain  from  peas,  if  they  pass  over  the  crop  when  it  Is  In 
blossom.  The  pea  crop  therefore  may  In  some  instances  be  made 
•nore  profitable  as  a  soiling  crop  or  fodder  ciop  than  when  grown  for 
the  grain. 

Of  this  crop  there  are  many  varieties.  When  grown  as  forage  for 
swine,  those  kinds  which  give  good  yields  of  grain  should  be  pre- 
ferred. When  they  are  grown  as  a  soiling  crop  or  for  fodder  uses, 
choice  should  be  made  of  those  kinds  which  produce  large  quan- 
tities of  straw,  but  not  of  too  coarse  a  character. 

Peas  will  grow  on  nearly  all  classes  of  land  free  from  stagnant 
water,  but  not  equally  well.  They  flourish  on  lands  essentially  clay 
ill  texture,  as  such  soils  usually  have  a  plentiful  supply  of  available 
potash,  On  light  sands  they  do  not  produc-  straw  plentifully,  and  on 
humus  soils,  with  an  excess  of  plant  food,  they  grow  an  abundance  of 
straw,  with  a  corresponding  deficiency  In  the  yield  of  grain.  This  crop, 
like  clover,  has  the  power  of  taking  nitrogen  from  the  air,  hence  It  is 
not  an  exhaustive  crop  on  the  land. 

To  produce  forage,  peas  may  be  sown  early  or  late,  and  indeed  for 
any  purpose  they  may  be  thus  sown,  but,  notwithstanding,  it  would 
be  easily  possible  to  delay  the  sowing  season  so  long  that  only  re- 
duced yields  could  be  looked  for.  It  would  perhaps  not  be  prudent 
ordinarily  to  defer  the  sowing  of  peas  longer  thanthe  middle  of  May. 
When  sown  as  a  food  for  swine  tlie  season  of  depasturing  may  be  pro- 
longed by  planting  the  peas  at  intervals,  that  is,  by  sowing  one  part  of 
the  crop  early,  a  second  portion  about  two  weeks  later,  and  a  third  por- 
tion about  two  weeks  later  than  the  second. 

The  method  of  preparing  the  ground  for  a  crop  of  peas  is  the  same 
as  for  other  cereals.    The  seed  should  be  sown  with  the  grain  drill. 


'er  Plants, 

cattle;  but  with 

!s,  humid  rather 
he  summer.  It 
ut  in  the  south- 
iJanadian  boun- 
to  those  in  the 
lian  side  of  the 
secured  further 
very  hurtful  to 
}p  when  it  is  in 
lances  be  made 
vhen  grown  for 

vn  as  forage  for 
should  be  pre- 
for  fodder  uses, 
ice  large  quan- 

e  from  stagnant 
essentially  clay 
)ly  of  available 
ntifully,  and  on 
n  abundance  of 
ain.  This  crop, 
air,  hence  it  is 

and  indeed  for 
nding,  it  would 
ig  that  only  re- 
not  be  prudent 
middle  of  May. 
ng  may  be  pro- 
ving one  part  of 
md  a  third  por- 

eas  is  the  same 
the  grain  drill, 


I 


Foragt  Crops, 


71 


and  It  should  go  down  deeply  Into  the  soil.  When  a  grain  drill  is  not 
available,  the  peas  may  be  sown  broadcast  over  the  land  and  then 
ploughed  In  to  the  depth  of  four  inches.  The  land  should  then  be 
smoothed  with  a  light  harrow.    If  again  harrowed  a  few  days  after  the 


,Al 


\ 


''.     Ml //''-...-Ik, 


"usem 


X.,  B.,  O.  Co.'s  OBAKOIIU.OB  Field  Pia. 

peas  have  been  sown,  and  while  the  sprouts  are  yet  some  distance  be- 
low the  surface  of  the  ground,  the  growth  of  the  weeds  will  be  checked 
and  that  of  the  peas  will  be  strengthened. 

The  amount  of  seed  required  will  be  the  same  as  though  the  peas 


"■■ 


72       Grasses.  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

were  to  be  raised  for  the  gruln.  It  will  vary  with  the  variety  sown  and 
also  with  the  character  of  the  soil.  When  the  small  varieties  are  used, 
two  bushels  of  seed  per  acre  will  sufTice,  but  with  the  largest  sorts 
three  bushels  and  even  a  greater  quantity  may  be  used.  Less  produc- 
tive soils  require  more  seed  than  those  more  fertile. 

Peas  are  ready  for  being  pastured  when  they  have  reached  that 
stage  which  renders  them  fit  for  table  use.  It  Is  considered  best  not  to 
allow  the  swine  access  to  tlie  whole  of  the  crop  at  once,  but  rather  to 
restrict  them  to  one  portion  until  that  Is  eaten,  and  then  give  them 
access  to  another  part.  When  the  peas  are  matured,  the  gleaning  of 
the  swine  may  continue  until  all  the  crop  has  been  gathered,  although 
some  persons  are  opposed  to  the  further  gleaning  of  the  swine  after  the 
peas  have  matured,  as  then  this  mode  of  harvesting  them  is  wasteful 
of  the  straw.  The  season  during  which  peas  may  be  thus  used  as  a 
forage  crop  Is  not  a  very  long  one. 

Barley  and  Oat».— Barley  and  oats,  grown  togethep,  furnish  ex- 
cellent pasture  for  swine  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  blue  grass  has 
passed  the  succulent  stage.  The  mixed  crop  of  these  two  varieties  of 
grain  will  grow  on  any  soil  suitable  for  producing  one  or  the  other  of 
them.  The  preparation  of  the  soil  Is  the  same  as  though  they  were 
grown  for  the  matured  grain,  that  is  to  say,  the  ground  sho'iid  be 
ploughed  In  the  autumn  when  practicable.  The  seed  is  first  mixed 
before  being  sown.  The  proportion  of  three  parts  barley  to  one  part 
of  oats  will  be  found  suitable.  From  nine  to  twelve  pecks  of  the  mix- 
ture may  be  sown.  The  aim  should  be  to  put  h  the  seed  with  the 
drill. 

The  crop  is  ready  for  pasturing  when  It  is  sufficiently  grown  to 
almost  hide  the  ground.  It  should  be  cropped  off  before  any  Indica- 
tions of  earing  manifest  themselves.  If  allowed  to  reach  the  earing 
stage  the  forage  would  be  less  relished  by  the  swine  and  further  growth 
from  the  root  would  practically  cease.  When  a  part  of  the  crop  Is  sown 
early  and  another  part  at  a  later  stage,  the  season  of  depasturing  is 
prolonged.  Barley  and  oats  thus  grown  together  make  an  excellent 
substitute  for  clover  where  the  latter  has  failed  to  grow  or  where  It  can 
not  be  depended  upon  to  produce  a  successful  crop,  as  In  latitudes  north 
of  the  clover  belt. 

Mixed  Qralnt.— The  different  cereals  may  l>e  mixed  and  sown 
together  to  provide  food  for  live  stock.    When  thus  giown  they  may 


ier  Plants, 

'arlety  sown  and 
arlttles  are  used, 
he  largest  sorts 
d.    Less  produc- 

ve  reached  that 
lered  best  not  to 
ice,  but  rather  to 
I  then  give  them 

the  gleaning  of 
thered,  although 
e  swine  after  the 
them  is  wasteful 

thus  used  as  a 

the»,  furnish  ex> 
I  blue  grass  has 
\  two  varieties  of 
!  or  the  other  of 
lough  they  were 
ound  sho'ild  be 
ed  is  first  mixed 
ariey  to  one  part 
ecl<s  of  the  mix- 
e  seed  with  the 

:lently  grown  to 
ifore  any  Indica- 
reach  the  earing 
d  further  growth 
the  crop  is  sown 
f  depasturing  Is 
ikt  an  excellent 
'  or  where  it  can 
1  latitudes  north 

ilxed  and  sown 
(lown  they  may 


Foragt  Crops. 


w 


i 


be  mixed  in  various  wayj  to  suit  the  capabilities  of  the  soil  and  the 
needs  of  tlie  live  stock  l<ept.  More  food  can  be  obtained,  as  a  rule, 
from  grain  grown  In  mixtures  than  from  the  liinds  used  In  the  mixtures 
had  they  been  sown  separately.  And  there  is  the  further  advantage 
that  variety  in  the  fooJs  provided  for  live  stock  proves  more  whole- 
some than  sameness  of  diet.  Those  kinds  of  grain  should  be  made 
prominent  In  the  mixture  which  produce  most  successful  results  In  the 
locality,  and  next  to  this  consideration,  prominence  should  be  assigned 
those  which  are  more  particularly  suited  to  the  needs  of  the  live  stock 
to  which  they  are  to  be  fed. 

The  mode  of  preparing  the  soil  for  these  mixtures  of  grain  Is  much 
the  same  as  it  would  be  for  growing  them  singly.  In  the  heavier  soils 
of  the  New  England  states  and  Canada  deep  ploughing  In  the  autumn 
would  be  In  order.  In  the  Central  states,  which  lie  to  the  north,  as 
Ohio  for  Instance,  the  ploughing  would  have  to  be  delayed  until  spring 
lest  the  land  should  become  Impacted  by  heavy  rains.  The  soils  of  the 
Northwest  should  also  be  ploughed  In  the  autumn  like  those  of  New 
England,  but  as  a  rule  they  should  be  ploughed  shallow  rather  than 
deep.  Farm-yard  manure  may  be  used  with  much  freedom  when  rais- 
ing these  crops,  for  soiling.  They  are  cut  before  the  grain  Is  matured, 
hence  an  excessive  growth  of  straw  is  not  so  hurtful  to  the  crop  as 
though  It  were  grown  for  the  grain  which  it  would  yield. 

These  crops  are  also  helpful  in  cleaning  the  soil.  They  may  be 
made  to  grow  so  thickly  as  to  keep  weeds  In  check  to  some  extent- 
And  as  they  are  commonly  cut  and  fed  while  green,  there  Is  time  enough 
to  follow  with  aisother  crop  the  same  season. 

Pea»  and  Oats.— Of  the  various  mixtures  grown  for  soiling  uses, 
none  are  In  such  general  demand  as  a  mixture  of  peas  and  oats.  The 
amount  of  this  mixture  to  be  sown  per  acre  will  vary,  but  one  bushel  of 
peas  and  one  and  a  half  bushels  of  oats  will  probably  prove  satisfactory 
In  nearly  all  Instances.  The  peas  may  be  sown  first  and  deeply  burled ; 
then  the  oats,  which  should  not  be  buried  so  deeply.  But  when  these 
grains  are  first  mixed  and  then  sown  together  with  the  grain  drill,  the 
germination  will  usually  prove  satisfactory  when  they  are  well  covered. 
The  covering  may  be  less  on  stiff  soils  than  on  the  lighter  soils  of  the 
prairie. 

And  here  It  may  be  mentioned  that  In  the  judgment  of  the  writer 
greatly  Increased  attention  should  be  given  to  growing  peas,  whether 


74       GrmsM.  CItwrs,  FiiU  Kd«lt,  Fomjr*  and  Fodtltr  t/anh. 


they  are  grown  for  grain,  for  soiling  uses  or  for  fodjer.  1  Ike  clover 
they  have  the  power  of  enriching  tolls  by  deTosllIng  In  them  nitrogen 
which  has  been  obtalr\<J  J'oisi  ;!n  xlr.  And  In  sowlnu  them  for  any 
purpose,  It  shoulu  ot  remembered  that  ..ic  larger  the  grain  the  greater 
the  quantity  of  seed  required.  While  two  bushels  of  seed  of  some 
varieties  may  be  ample  to  sow  p«r  acre  when  the  grain  Is  the  chief  ob- 
iffct  sought,  niofP  than  three  bushels  per  acre  of  some  of  the  large  varl- 
eties  would  not  be  too  much  to  sow. 

But  the  scarcity  of  seed  and  the  lack  of  harvesting  facilities  are 
serious  obstacles  to  the  extension  of  the  growth  of  the  pea  crop  In  the 
Northwest.  The  remedy  for  the  first  Is  In  the  hands  of  the  farmerv 
When  they  set  about  growing  more  of  this  excellent  crop  the  seed  will 
be  more  plentiful.  And  the  remedy  for  the  second  has  already  bfcn 
solved  by  the  Inventor.  Pea  harvesters  are  now  being  Introduced  In 
sections  where  peas  are  grown  largely  as  a  grain  crop  They  will  cut 
the  peas  as  quickly  as  a  mower  will  cut  meadow,  and  they  are  not 
costly. 

When  soiling  crops  ic  sown  at  Intervals  rather  ihan  all  at  once, 
the  season  during  which  they  may  be  fed  Is  prolonged.  But  experi- 
ence has  demonstrated  that  It  Is  better  to  grow  <»  siuccesslon  of  various 
soiling  crops  adapted  to  the  different  seasons,  than  to  try  fo  prolong 
unduly  the  period  for  using  any  one  crop.  For  Instance  It  would  be 
better  to  grow  peas  and  oats  followed  by  corn,  than  to  try  to  so  lengthen 
the  period  of  growing  either  of  those  crops,  that  the  growth  of  the  othtr 
would  not  b"  necessary.  All  crops  will  grow  better  at  a  certain  seastin 
of  the  year  than  at  any  other  time,  and  the  aim  should  be  to  grow  each 
In  its  proper  season.  Peas  and  oats  should  be  sown  quite  early,  and 
then  again  at  an  Interval  of  two  or  three  weeks. 

The  feeding  of  this  crop  (nay  begin  when  the  oats  are  well  out  In 
head  or  when  the  peas  are  In  full  bloom,  and  It  may  continue  until  the 
grain  1?  nearly  matured.  When  the  grain  has  reached  what  might  be 
termed  the  dough  stage,  the  crop  has  then  attained  Its  maximum  feed- 
ing value.  It  can  be  cut  with  a  scythe,  a  mower,  or  with  a  re  ,  as 
occasion  requires,  and  whe-e  large  quantities  were  In  dema'vj  it  would 
need  to  be  carted  to  the  n'ace  for  feeding.  It  furnishes  excellent  food 
for  milch  cows,  and  may  also  be  fed  with  advantage  to  other  kinds  of 
live  stock. 

Oats  and  vetches  or  tares  make  an  excellent  soiling  food  for  sneep 


1 


tUmtt, 


der.  Like  clover 
In  ihem  nllroKcn 
'IriK  tlirm  for  any 
grjln  the  greater 
of  seed  of  some 
^  is  the  chief  ob- 
of  the  large  varl- 

ting  facilities  are 
e  pea  crop  In  the 
I  of  the  farmers, 
rop  the  seed  will 
!)as  already  been 
ng  introduced  In 
They  will  cut 
and  they  are  not 

Jian  all  at  onct, 
id.  But  expert- 
isslon  of  varioun 

0  try  to  prolong 
nee  it  would  be 
ry  to  so  lengthen 
3Wth  of  the  otht^r 
a  certain  season 

1  be  to«roweach 
quite  ejriy,  and 

are  well  out  In 
mtinue  until  the 
what  might  be 
maximum  feed- 
vlth  a  re  ,  as 
lems'sl  it  would 
:s  excellent  food 
>  other  kinds  of 

g  food  for  bheep 


and  lambs,  and  they  may  also  be  used  with  advantage  In  feeding  swine. 
In  nearly  all  parts  of  the  New  England  states  and  Canada  this  crop  can 
W.  grown  with  much  success,  but  In  some  sectlnni  of  the  west  and 
Northwest  the  warm  winds  that  occasionally  visl'  those  regions  «rt 
hurtful  to  the  vetches.  In  other  seasons  they  will  grow  very  well. 
One  peck  of  oats  and  from  two  to  three  pecks  of  vetches  per  n<  re  will 
furnish  an  abundant  seeding,  The  seed  may  be  sown  with  the  grain 
drill  as  soon  as  the  '.veather  has  become  settled  In  tli<>  spring,  and  .igaln 
at  an  Interval  of  two  or  three  weeks.  Th«  oats  are  wanted  rather  to 
sustain  the  vetches  from  falling  to  the  earth  than  to  provide  food  for 
the  sheep,  but  they  will  be  e,iten  In  part  by  the  sheep,  although  these 
animals  show  a  decided  preference  for  the  vetches.  As  soon  as  the 
vetches  reach  the  blos«omlng  stage  the  feeding  ^ay  commence. 

Oats  M\ii  wheat,  or  oats,  peas  and  wheat,  make  an  excellent  toll- 
ing I  ip.  The  cost  of  the  seed  should  be  considered  In  determining 
the  relative  amounts  of  each  to  use  In  the  mixture.  Krom  two  and  a 
half  to  thrre  bushels  per  acre  may  be  sown  of  the  wtiole  mixture. 
When  it  >.on&lsts  of  oats  and  wheat  equal  proportions  of  each  can  be 
used.  When  It  consUts  of  the  three  cereals  named,  equal  proportions 
of  oats  and  wheat  may  be  used,  and  half  the  quantity  of  peas.  In 
other  words,  the  oats,  wheat  and  vetches  would  be  mixed  In  the  pro- 
portion of  two,  two  and  one.  These  grains  are  mixed  before  being 
sown,  and  should  be  put  Into  the  ground  to  a  fair  depth  to  keep  the 
peas  from  being  uncovered  by  the  w.ishing  of  fdin  which  may  follow. 
Like  the  mixtures  for  soiling  previously  mentloncJ,  they  should  be 
sown  early,  and  again  at  an  Interval  of  two  or  three  weeks  where  pro- 
longed feeding  Is  wanted.  The  feeding  of  he  crop  should  commence 
as  soon  as  the  heads  of  the  oats  and  wheat  begin  to  appear. 


-l/ 


i^MMb 


76        Gy*tl»§,  Clwtrt,  FUM  ^«wA.  F«r»f»  atjit  FotUtr  PlaHtt, 


CHAPTER  V. 


POUUiiK  CHOPS. 


1; 


The  production  of  fodder  crops  will  no  doubt  form  an  Important 
fuctor  In  the  farming  of  the  Northwest.  In  the  near  future.  The  need 
for  this  el«M  of  crops  Is  not  v*t  so  apparent  as  It  will  be  In  the  days 
th«t  are  at  hand,  owing  to  the  abundant  supply  of  wild  hay  available 
In  all  the  more  newly  settled  portions  of  the  country.  When  the  lands 
which  yield  wild  hay  come  to  be  cultivated,  a  substitute  for  the  crcp 
which  now  grows  upon  them  will  be  required.  This  substlftile  will  bf 
found  In  part  In  cultivated  hay,  but  more  probably  In  fodder  crcips, 
owing  to  the  marked  adaptability  of  the  conditions  of  growth  In  al| 
this  western  country  to  the  production  of  these  crops.  In  growing  fod 
der  crops  there  Is  not  the  same  liability  to  occasional  failure  In  the 
germination  of  the  seed,  as  In  growing  crops  of  hay.  Some  of  them, 
for  Instance  corn,  when  once  firmly  rooted  In  the  soil,  possess  great 
power  to  withstand  the  vicissitudes  arising  from  dry  weather. 

Corn.— Sometime  In  the  future,  possibly  .»t  an  early  date,  the  corn 
crop  will  doubtless  stand  first  If.  importance  amonR  all  the  fodder  crops 
then  grown  In  the  Northwest,  hay  even  not  excepted.  In  some  sections 
of  the  area  named  corn  may  not  as  yet  prove  a  reliable  crop  when 
raised  mainly  for  the  grain  which  It  produces.  But  when  grown  purci> 
as  a  fodder  crop  there  are  but  few  sections  capable  of  tillage  which  may 
not  be  made  to  produce  It  In  good  form.  At  one  time  It  was  thought 
Impossible  to  grow  corn  with  safety  further  north  than  Minneapolis. 
Now  good  crops  are  regularly  grown  a  hundred  miles  further  north  and 
the  northern  limit  fixed  upon  for  Its  production  is  constantly  reeding 
from  the  equator.  Excellent  corn  of  the  Mercer  variety  was  harvested 
the  present  year  at  Buxton,  Traill  County,  North  Dakota,  situated 


Jha 


'^tM/r  t'amti. 


form  an  Important 
future.  The  need 
III  be  In  the  dnys 
vlld  hav  available 
.  When  the  lands 
(titute  tor  the  crop 
s  sub«tlt(ite  wdl  be 
y  In  fodder  cr<ips, 
I  of  growth  In  al| 
^  In  growing  fod- 
)nat  failure  In  the 
Some  of  them, 
K>ll,  possess  great 

weather, 

^arly  date,  the  corn 
ill  the  fodder  crops 
.  In  some  sections 
ellabie  crop  when 
vhen  grown  purci> 

tillage  which  may 
ie  it  was  thouglit 
than  Minneapolis. 
s  further  north  and 
instantly  receding 
!ty  WIS  harvested 

Dakota,  situated 


F»Mirer$Pt. 


•bout  Italf  way  between  the  forty-stventh  and  for*)  '«:ghth  parallels  of 
latUude,  and  it  n  ii^ierous  other  polnl.i  in  that  state.  When  a  crop  of 
matured  corn  can  even  nc*/  be  oMalned  thus  far  noiih,  wc  have  reason 
t«>  hop*  that  varietit*  w'll  yet  b«  procured,  whicli  under  a  proper  ty»> 
tern  of  cultivation  will  mature  thf  crop  with  consldeta^-!c  certainty 
Ihrough'iut  the  r^tglont  along  the  southern  boundary  of  Manitoba  and 
A«i>lulbola.  And  ai  corn  caii  be  grown  for  fod.Vr,  and  more  partlcu* 
larly  for  St)ll  ng,  mu  h  further  to  th<>  north  than  for  gralti,  we  can  con- 
fidently anticipate  that  tor  thewe  purpoHS  It  will  become  a  regular 
P'-oducI  of  the  Canadian  Northwest. 

Benefits  )*.her  than  the  food  product  obtained  wuukt  he  derived 
from  the  general  growth  of  corn.  In  ihe  first  place  If  p'operly  rared  for 
It  wt  old  greatly  assist  In  the  cleaning  of  the  land.  But  on  the  oiher 
lianU  If  the  cultivation  were  neglected  It  would  prove  a  most  effective 
iiirdluii.  for  th?  n;<i!(|p||catlon  of  weed  seeds.  Therefore  when  It  can 
not  b«  properly  cared  for  the  attempt  should  not  be  made  to  raise  corn. 
A  f^  M%  ren.-irk  will  apply  to  the  growth  of  all  kinds  of  crops.  In  tht 
•econd  place  U  will  furnish  an  excellent  seed  bed  for  ^rass  seeds.  And 
In  (he  third  place  corn  culture  brings  the  land  Into  good  form  for  pro- 
di<:ing  more  abundant  cereal  crops  than  If  corn  were  excluded  from  the 
roUtl:^.). 

Corn  is  of  many  varieties,  und  the  number  of  these  Is  probably  net 
less  than  four  hundred.  The  varieties  may  be  roughly  grouped  into 
four  classes,  viz:  first,  the  flint  varieties,  so  named  from  (he  hard  con< 
dition  of  the  grain  when  ripe.  The  earliest  maturing  soits  generally 
belong  to  this  class.  Second,  the  dent  varieties,  so  called  from  the 
depression  on  the  outer  end  of  the  kernel.  The  best  yielding  suits  are 
commonly  found  In  this  class.  Third,  the  horse  tooth  varieties,  so 
named  from  the  resemblance  which  the  kernel  bears  to  the  tooth  of  a 
horse.  r*>ese  varieties  are  also  Included  In  some  one  of  the  afore- 
mentioned cl.-isses,  but  frequently  In  the  second  or  the  last  named. 
Fourth,  the  r>weet  varieties,  so  called  from  the  saccharine  nature  of  the 
corn  and  also  of  the  stnlk.  Nearly  all  the  kinds  grown  In  the  garden 
belong  to  this  class,  hy.i  it  Includes  some  sorts  suitable  only  for  field 
culture. 

The  V  .r'etics  of  com  best  adapted  to  the  Northwest  when  grain 
only  Is  wanted,  or  even  wlK^n  grain  and  fodder  combined  are  soufc.it, 
Include  the  Squaw,  Mercer,  Smut  Nose,  Minnesota  King,  Dakota  Dent, 


#■ 


ill 


I:; 


78        Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants, 

Pride  of  the  North,  Huron,  Rustler  and  Mastadon.  The  Squaw  ccn, 
a  white  flint  variety,  which  stands  first  In  point  of  earliness,  and  hence 
is  grown  further  to  the  north  than  any  other,  Is  dwarf- 
ish In  character,  and  therefore  not  a  satisfactory  i<ind 
of  corn  to  cultivate  where  more  productive  sorts  will 
mature.  The  Mercer,  a  yellow  flint  variety,  Is  not  only 
early  but  a  prolific  producer  as  well.  The  ear  Is  a  ({ood 
size,  the  cob  small,  and  the  corn  on  the  same  Is  firm. 
The  Smut  Nose  Is  a  yellow  flint  corn,  but  the  grain  is 
tinged  with  a  reddish  cast  near  the 
tips  of  the  ear.  It  is  also  highly  pro- 
ductive. The  Minnesota  King,  a  yel- 
low half-dent  corn,  seems  to  possess 
the  power  of  resisting  drought  In  a 
marked  degree,  better  It  has  been 
claimed  than  any  other  sort,  it  was 
introduced  Into  Minnesota  by  the 
Northrup,  Brasian,  Goodwin  Co.,  In 
1889.  The  Dakota  Dent  is  sali  to 
be  the  earliest  of  the  pure  yellow 
dent  varieties.  It  originated  through 
a  careful  and  persistent  selection  of    basotauksx. 


HsBcnoom. 


SseUon  ot  Mr  N.,  B.,  O.  Oo.'i  MiutMote  King  Oorn. 


«k^ 


odder  Plants. 

The  Squaw  wn, 
arliness,  and  hence 
jrf- 


Fodder  Crops. 


79 


Dakota  iii:!<T. 


uiwoU  Sing  Oonb 


the  first  matured  ears  from  the  Pride  of  the  North,  and  hence  it  may 
be  grown  further  northward  than  that  variety.  The  Pride  of  the  North, 
a  pure  yellow  dent  corn,  has  long  been  popular  in  latitudes  east,  south 
and  west  of  Minneapolis.  The  Huron  is  a  yellow  dent  which  furnishes 
an  abundant  yield.  It  is  as  early  as  the  Dal<ota  Dent,  and  both  stalk 
and  ear  are  of  good  size.  A  white  dent  corn  known  as  the  Rustier 
originated  in  Dakota.  The  ears  are  of  compact  form,  and  it  is  also  an 
early  maturing  sort.  The  Mastadon,  as  indicated  by  the  name,  pro- 
duces a  large  ear  and  one  possessed  of  great  weight,  owing  to  the 
many  rows  of  deep  kernels  which  cover  the  cob.  It  Is  a  yellow  dent 
variety,  and  by  no  means  a  late  one,  hence  will  answer  well  for  grow- 
ing south  of  Minnesota. 

Among  the  standard  late  varieties  may  be  mentioned  the  Golden 
Beauty,  the  Improved  teaming  and  the  Champion  Pearl,  all  excellent 
sorts  to  raise  where  they  can  be  matured.  Of  those  grown  only  for 
fodder  purposes  the  Giant,  Red  Cob,  Elephant  and  Evergreen  Sweet 
are  prominent. 

Corn  may  come  anywhere  In  the  rotation,  but  the  object  should  be 
to  grow  It  so  that  as  far  as  practicable  It  may  be  made  a  cleaning  crop, 
hence  those  fields  may  be  chosen  for  a  corn  crop,  which  in  the  absence 
of  a  cultivated  crop  would  require  to  be  summer  fallowed.  It  may  be 
put  upon  overturned  sod  with  much  advantage  to  the  corn.  But  when 
thus  grown  the  aim  should  be  to  plough  the  land  the  preceding  autumn. 
The  decaying  vegetable  matters  in  such  soils  furnish  a  very  suitable 
food  for  the  corn,  they  too  enable  the  ground  to  better  retain  the  moist- 
ure which  it  possesses.  And  It  should  almost  invariably  be  followed 
by  a  cereal  crop  sown  with  grass  seeds.  The  cleaning  of  the  ground 
by  the  cultivation  of  the  corn  is  so  far  an  excellent  preparation  for  these 
crops.  The  cultivation  also  renders  the  soil  more  dense,  providing  It 
is  stirred  only  on  the  surface  in  preparing  for  them,  after  the  removal 
of  the  corn.  The  ploughing  of  the  land  at  any  time  after  the  removal 
of  the  corn  and  prior  to  the  sowing  of  the  grain  crop  which  follows, 
would  so  loosen  It  that  the  surface  evaporation  would  be  greatly  In- 
creased. Inert  plant  food,  that  Is  plant  food  iying  in  the  soil  In  a  con- 
dition Inaccessible  to  plants,  Is  liberated  by  the  cultlvatioir given  to  the 
soil.  In  conjunction  with  atmospheric  and  other  influences.  When 
thus  liberated  the  grain  which  comes  alter  the  corn  takes  up  this  food 
readily,  providing  It  is  left  near  the  surface.    But  when  It  Is  burled  by 


Jteata 


;i 


80       Grasses,  Cltnurs,  Field  Roots,  Foras^e  and  Fodder  Plants. 

ploughing  the  ground,  and  more  especially  by  p'oughing  It  In  the 
spring,  the  roots  of  the  grain  crop  which  follows  are  just  s.)  far  hindered 
from  reaching  the  food  thus  iiberated  until  a  later  period. 

Corn  is  grown,  first,  for  the  grain  which  it  produces,  or  for  the 
grain  and  straw  used  separately;  second,  to  furnish  dry  or  cured  fodder; 
and  third,  to  provide  what  may  be  termed  succulent  fodder  in  the  form 
of  ensilage.  Where  the  corn  may  be  expected  to  mature  safely,  the 
same  method  of  cultivation  can  be  adopted  in  growing  it  for  these  re- 
spective uses.  But  even  In  such  localities  there  may  be  sufficient 
reasons  for  raising  it  somewhat  differently  for  the  first  named  use.  as 
it  may  be  necessary  under  some  conditions  to  plant  It  more  thinly  than 
when  It  Is  grown  for  fodder. 

Corn  will  flourish  on  what  may  be  described  as  a  deep,  rich,  warm, 
mellow  soil.  It  luxuriates  in  rich  loams,  preferably  those  somewhat 
sandy  in  texture.  It  grows  vigorously  on  humus  soils,  but  on  these  it 
is  a  little  later  in  maturing.  Corn  Is  not  so  well  adapted  to  stiff  clays, 
but  fair  average  crops  may  be  grown  on  clay  if  a  vigorous,  timely 
germination  ran  be  secured.  It  will  not  yield  good  crops  on  light,  poor 
sands  until  they  have  first  been  enriched,  nor  are  soils  underlaid  with 
gravelly  subsoils,  which  come  near  the  surface,  well  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  corn,  more  especially  In  the  Northwest,  as  they  fall  to  sus- 
tain the  supply  of  ground  moisture  in  a  dry  season.  A  very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  soils  in  the  Northwest  are  pre-eminently  adapted  to  the 
culture  of  corn,  owing  to  their  free  working  character  and  to  their  rich- 
ness in  plant  food. 

The  preparation  of  the  soil  will  depend  in  some  measure  upon  the 
place  assigned  the  corn  crop  In  the  rotation.  When  It  is  to  come  after 
a  grain  crop  the  ground  should  be  ploughed  as  soon  after  harvest  as 
the  work  can  be  done.  The  ploughing  should  be  fairly  deep,  as  corn  Is 
in  its  habits  of  growth  a  deep  feeding  plant.  When  ploughed  early  the 
soil  recovers  to  some  extent  its  former  density,  hence  surface  evapora- 
tion is  reduced.  When  the  stirring  of  the  soil  subsequent  to  the  plough- 
ing of  the  land  and  before  the  arrival  of  winter  will  tend  to  remove 
weeds  from  the  soil,  an  effort  should  be  made  In  order  to  accomplish 
the  desired  end.  In  the  spring  an  occasional  stirring  of  the  soil  before 
the  corn  is  planted  will  still  further  aid  in  removing  the  weeds  from 
the  same.  And  it  will  render  the  land  more  moist  unless  when  the 
weather  i9  showery.    Weeds  can  be  more  easily  destroyed  before  thai) 


fdder  Plants, 

'oughing  it  in  tlie 
lust  3.)  far  hindered 
rlod. 

oduces,  or  for  tlie 
Iry  or  cured  fodder; 
fodder  in  tlie  form 
mature  safely,  the 
ng  it  for  these  re- 
may  be  sufficient 
rst  named  use,  ss 
t  more  thinly  than 

a  deep,  rich,  warm, 
y  those  somewhat 
ils,  but  on  these  it 
ipted  to  stiff  clays, 
»  vigorous,  timely 
:rops  on  light,  poor 
lis  underlaid  with 
ell  adapted  to  the 
%  they  fail  to  sus- 
A  very  large  pro- 
ly  adapted  to  the 
r  and  to  their  rich- 
measure  upon  the 
it  is  to  come  after 
n  after  harvest  as 
riy  deep,  as  corn  is 
ploughed  early  the 
;e  surface  evapora- 
uent  to  the  plough- 
II  tend  to  remove 
der  to  accomplish 
I  of  the  soil  before 
g  the  weeds  from 
:  unless  when  the 
troyed  before  than 


Fodder  Crops. 


81 


after  the  planting  of  the  corn.    When  a  clover  sod  is  turned  under  the 
work  may  be  done  in  the  autumn  or  in  the  spring.     If  deferred  until 


N.,  B.,  G.  Co.'B  OiANx  FoDSKR  Corn. 
the  spring  the  clover  should  be  allowed  to  make  a  good  start  before  the 


T 


.-Jha 


82 Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


I: 


land  Is  ploughed.    The  decay  of  vegetable  matter  in  the  soil  will  then 
be  more  rapid. 

When  farmyard  manure  may  be  obtained  no  more  suitable  fertil- 
izer can  be  applied  to  a  corn  crop.  The  amount  of  this  fertilizer  to  ap- 
ply will  depend  on  the  character  of  the  land.  Some  soils  rich  In  vege- 
table matter  may  not  need  any.  Some  require  only  a  moderate  dressing. 
Others,  more  especially  leechy  sands,  may  be  benefitted  by  an  appli- 
cation as  heavy  as  from  15  to  20  tons,  that  is  to  say  from  15  to  20  or- 
dinary loads,  per  acre.  In  the  Northwest  the  aim  should  be  to  plough 
under  the  manure  In  the  autumn  that  it  may  have  a  chance  to  decay. 
In  the  East  where  autumn  and  spring  rains  are  frequent  and  abundant 
It  would  be  better  to  apply  the  manure  on  the  surface  in  leechy  soils, 
otherwise  much  of  Its  valuable  constituents  would  be  washed  down 
through  the  soil  Into  the  subsoil,  whence  they  would  escape  In  the 
drainage  water.  If  farmyard  manures  are  applied  in  the  winter  to  land 
Intended  for  corn,  they  ought  to  be  turned  under  quite  early  in  the 
spring  to  induce  fermentation.  Artificial  fertilizers  do  not  seem  to  be 
much  needed  as  yet  by  the  average  soils  of  this  country,  but  In  the 
east  they  render  substantial  service.  When  the  manurial  resources  of 
the  Northwest  now  available  have  first  been  carefully  utilized,  it  will 
then  be  necessary  to  give  attention  to  artificial  fertilizers.  But  even 
now,  on  light  and  poor  soils,  more  especially  on  those  which  are  near 
good  markets,  such  fertilizers  may  be  applied  with  profit.  The  nature 
of  the  fertilizer  to  be  used  would  depend  upon  many  conditions,  though 
ordinarily  what  is  known  as  a  "complete"  fertilizer  would  prove  suit' 
able  for  a  corn  crop,  A  complete  feitilizer  is  one  which  contains  all 
three  of  the  most  requisite  elements  of  plant  growth,  viz:  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash. 

The  time  for  planting  com  will  vary  with  the  climate,  locality, 
soil,  and  in  some  few  instances  with  the  variety  of  the  corn.  It  can 
serve  no  good  purpose  to  plant  corn  In  any  climate  until  the  ground 
has  become  warmed  to  the  temperature  of  from  52°  to  S\°  Fahrenheit. 
The  exact  temperature  of  the  soil  may  be  ascertained  by  burying  a 
thermometer  In  it  as  deeply  as  the  corn  is  lo  be  planted,  and  leaving  it 
there  for  several  hours.  Some  soils,  as  for  instance  light  sands,  warm  > 
more  rapidly  than  others.  But  even  though  the  soil  should  be  warm,  It 
is  unsafe  to  plant  corn  until  the  season  has  become  so  far  advanced  that 
th«  young^  plants  are  not  liable  to  b«  cut  down  by  frosts.  When  thuscut 


iiiii»<»'ir.i«i»iiii«ii 


.     mm. 


odder  Plants. 

I  the  soil  will  then 

ore  suitable  fertil> 
his  fertilizer  to  ap- 
soils  rich  In  vege- 
moderate  dressing, 
fitted  by  an  appli- 
from  IS  to  20  or* 
lould  be  to  plough 

chance  to  decay, 
lent  and  abundant 
:e  In  leechy  soils, 

be  washed  down 
uld  escape  |p  the 
1  the  winter  to  land 
quite  early  In  the 
to  not  seem  to  be 
untry,  but  in  the 
lurial  resources  of 
y  utilized,  it  will 
ilzers.  But  even 
;e  which  are  near 
rofit.  The  nature 
conditions,  though 
would  prove  suit' 
/hich  contains  ail 
th<  viz:  nitrogen, 

e  climate,  locality, 
f  the  corn.  It  can 
e  until  the  ground 
to  5t°  Fahrenheit, 
ined  by  burying  a 
:ed,  and  leaving  it 
light  sands,  warm 
;hould  be  warm.  It 
•  far  advanced  that 
ts.  Whenthuscut 


down  they  will  come  up  again,  but  the  results  are  not  likely  to  prove 
so  satisfactory  In  the  end,  as  with  corn  planted  late  enough  to  escape 
spring  frosts.  In  the  Northern  states  east  of  Michigan,  and  Canada 
east  of  Lake  Huron  the  normal  season  for  planting  corn  ranges  from 
May  lOth  to  June  5th.  In  Southern  Wisconsin,  Southern  Minnesota, 
and  South  Dakota,  the  snme  dates  would  probably  cover  the  most 
favorable  season  for  planting.  But  for  some  uses,  soiling  for  in- 
stance, corn  may  be  planted  later  than  the  dates  named.  In  Northern 
Wisconsin,  Northern  Minnesota,  North  Dakota  and  Manitoba,  the 
normal  season  for  planting  will  be  found  near  the  end  of  May.  The 
germlnative  power  of  corn  is  easily  Injured,  even  after  It  has  been  put 
Into  the  soil,  hence,  when  seed  of  the  first  quality  has  been  planted 
before  the  ground  has  become  sufficiently  warm,  the  germinating  power 
of  the  seed  Is  liable  to  be  much  impaired,  If  indeed  not  wholly  des- 
troyed. And  where  the  Injury  to  the  seed  Is  only  partial,  the  growth 
of  the  young  plants  will  be  feeble  and  delicate.  Similar  results  will 
ensue  when  corn  is  planted  on  soils  sufficiently  warm.  If  the  seed 
time  Is  followed  by  a  long  period  of  cold,  raw  weather.  It  Is  more  ju- 
dicious, therefore,  to  delay  planting  corn  for  uses  other  than  selling  In 
the  early  market,  until  there  is  a  strong  probability  that  It  will  come 
up  quickly  after  it  has  been  planted,  and  make  rapid  p.ogress. 

Seed  corn  should  be  tested  by  the  seedsman,  and  also  by  the 
grower,  before  It  Is  planted.  And  It  Is  not  enough  to  be  assured  that 
the  corn  will  grow.  The  character  of  the  germination  Is  quite  as  Im- 
portant as  the  power  to  germinate.  When  seed  has  been  carelessly 
selected  and  improperly  kept,  every  kernel  may  be  possessed  of  the 
power  to  germinate,  and  yet  the  germination  will  be  so  delicate  that 
the  young  plants  cannot  make  vigorous  growth  until  the  time  arrives 
when  they  are  wholly  dependent  upon  the  soil  for  sustenance.  The 
ultimate  full  development  of  the  corn  may  thus  be  seriously  hindered. 
It  should  always  be  tested  by  the  grower,  even  though  previously 
tested  by  the  seedsman,  as  It  may  In  some  Instances  oe  :,<jared  In 
transit,  and  there  Is  perhaps  no  better  method  of  testing  It  than  by 
planting  a  few  kernels  In  a  box  of  earth,  and  placing  the  box  In  x 
warm  room  where  there  Is  plenty  of  sunshine.  It  should  of  course  be 
kept  sufficiently  moist. 

Corn  itivi  b*  planted  by  hand,  with  the  planter  used  b>  hand,  or 
with  that  i\»sn  ^y  horses,  tx  it  may  be  sown  with  the  r  rdinary  grain 


.-,-.».  irotvaAnfMrtHi 


.^MMi 


•r  I 

H 


r 


I* 


'i  ii 


84       (brasses.  Clovers,  field  Rooti,  Forage  and  Fodder  Planis. 

drill,  in  the  absence  of  machinery,  the  first  method  will  have  to  be 
adopted.  Hand  planting  In  either  of  Its  forms  Is  more  commonly  re- 
stricted to  the  planting  of  corn  grown  on  small  areas,  and  in  Instances 
where  grain  production  is  sought  rather  than  fodder.  But  in  the  ab- 
sence of  machinery  for  planting,  corn  may  be  sown  by  hand,  for  soil- 
ing and  fodder  uses.  When  It  Is  thus  sown,  shallow  drills  are  first 
opened  with  tiie  plough,  and  the  corn  is  strung  along  these  by  the 
hand  In  a  string  like  row.  A  harrow  driven  across  Uie  drills  may  be 
used  in  covering  the  corn. 

When  corn  is  grown  chiefly  for  grain.  It  has  been  usual  to  plant  it 
in  hills  equally  distant  from  one  another  in  the  line  of  the  row.  and 
also  between  the  rows.  Where  hand  planting  Is  a  necessity,  the 
ground  is  first  marl<ed  off  Into  squares.  The  hills  are  placed  at  the 
angles  of  the  squares.  The  proper  distance  between  the  hills  Is  de- 
termined by  the  strength  of  the  so\\  the  nature  of  the  climate  and  the 
variety  of  the  corn.  The  stronger  the  so!!,  the  more  prolonged  the 
season  of  growth,  and  the  larger  the  variety,  the  further  apart  should 
the  hills  be  placed,  and  vice  versa.  They  are  more  commonly  placed 
about  42  inches  apart,  when  the  varieties  used  are  of  medium  develop- 
ment. 

Should  corn  be  reared  for  soiling  uses,  for  winter  fodder  or  for  the 
silo.  It  is  more  commonly  soa'h  in  rows,  and  the  grain  drill  is  used  in 
planting  it.  This  method  is  sometimes  adopted  when  it  Is  grown  prin- 
cipally for  the  grain.  In  planting  the  corn,  the  tubes  of  the  drill  are 
all  closed,  except  those  required  to  deposit  the  corn.  The  distance  be- 
tween tlie  rows  will  vary  even  more  than  when  the  corn  is  grown  in 
hills  and  chiefly  for  the  grain  which  It  produces,  tor  the  following  rea- 
sons:—First,  the  objects  aimed  at  In  growing  the  corn  are  more  varied, 
hence  It  is  not  only  permissible,  but  positively  necessary  to  grow  more 
kinds,  and  this  necessitates  greater  variation  in  the  distance  of  the 
plants  from  one  another.  Second,  the  fodder  portion  of  the  crop  is  rel- 
atively more  important,  hence  to  obtain  a  greater  bulk  of  this  propor- 
tion, some  sorts  may  be  grown  more  closely  than  would  be  admissible  If 
the  grain  were  the  principal  object  sought.  Third,  in  northern  latitudes 
where  the  grain  cannot  be  matured,  preference  should  be  given  to  early 
varieties,  and  these  being  smaller  than  many  of  the  late  ones  can  be 
planted  more  closely.  Fourth,  when  corn  is  to  be  feu  as  a  soiling  crop, 
it  may  be  grown  more  compactly  even  than  when  raised  tor  winter 


g,«iT*tt«pfea«y^jira«. 


ider  Plants. 

id  will  have  to  be 
ore  commonly  re- 

and  In  Instances 
T.  Butlnttieab- 
by  hand,  for  soil- 
low  drills  are  first 
long  these  by  the 

ihe  driUs  may  be 

1  usual  to  plant  it 
le  of  the  row,  and 
a  necessity,  the 
are  placed  at  the 
en  the  hills  is  de- 
e  climate  and  the 
)re  prolonged  the 
ther  apart  should 
commonly  placed 
medium  develop- 

■  foddf^r  or  for  the 
In  drill  Is  used  in 
I  it  is  grown  prin- 
es  of  the  drill  are 
The  distance  be- 
corn  is  grown  in 
the  following  rea- 
I  are  more  varied, 
ary  to  grow  more 
e  distance  of  the 
of  the  crop  is  rei- 
!l(  of  this  propor- 
d  be  admissible  if 
lorthern  latitudes 
be  given  to  early 
e  late  ones  can  be 
as  a  soiling  crop, 
raised  tor  winter 


/''odder  Crops. 


85 


fodder  or  for  the  silo.  But  in  localities  where  corn  can  be  relied  upon 
to  mature,  it  may  be  true  that  the  food  value  of  a  crop  grown  as  widely 
M  would  be  necessary  to  secure  a  full  crop  of  grain,  would  be  equal  to 
that  of  the  same  variety  of  corn  when  grown  closely.  If  corn  is  de- 
sired for  the  silo  the  aim  should  be  to  secure  that  degree  of  maturity 
which  will  bring  the  grain  to  the  roasting  stage. 

In  planting  corn,  much  attention  should  be  given  to  the  distance 
between  the  rows,  and  between  the  plants  in  the  line  of  the  row. 
Various  experiments  have  gone  to  show  that  as  much  food  in  weight 
can  be  obtained  from  a  small  variety  as  from  a  large  one,  by  simply 
varying  distances  between  the  rows  in  planting  the  seed,  and  varying 
the  amounts  of  seeds  used:  This  fact  !s  possessed  of  much  significance 
when  applied  to  those  latitudes  In  which  the  seasons  are  too  short  to 
mature  the  larger  and  later  varieties,  and  are  yet  quite  long  enough  to 
ripen  perfectly  some  of  the  smaller  and  earlier  varieties. 

The  amount  of  seed  to  be  used  will  depend  upon  different  condi- 
tions, as  for  instance  the  variety  of  the  corn,  the  character  of  the  sol! 
and  the  end  for  which  the  crop  is  grown.  When  planted  In  hills  from 
two  to  five  kernels  are  placed  In  each  hill.  On  good  soils  three  good 
stalks  In  a  hill  are  considered  sufficient.  One  peck  of  seed  per  acre 
would  be  more  than  sufficient  to  produce  three  stalks  In  each  hill  unless 
the  kernels  of  the  seed  planted  were  unusually  large.  When  the  seed 
Is  sown  with  the  grain  drill,  from  one  peck  to  one-half  bushel  of  seed 
is  used.  Twelve  quarts  probably  may  be  named  as  an  average 
amount.  But  If  the  corn  Is  desired  for  soiling  purposes  a  larger  quan- 
tity should  be  sown. 

The  depth  to  which  seed  corn  should  be  planted  will  depend  upon 
the  character  and  condition  of  thv;  m\i,  and  on  the  climate.  The  colder, 
molster  and  heavier  the  soil,  the  shallower  should  be  the  covering  of 
the  seed,  and  vice  versa.  Two  inches  may  be  termed  an  average 
depth,  but  on  prairie  soils  the  seed  may  commonly  be  buried  to  a  greater 
depth  with  manifest  advantage. 

Soon  after  the  seed  has  been  planted  the  ground  can  be  harrowed, 
even  before  the  corn  has  appeared,  if  there  is  any  likelihood  of  the 
weeds  getting  ahead  of  the  corn.  It  may  not  be  necessary  in  all  In- 
stances to  use  the  harrow  before  the  corn  has  come  through  the  ground. 
But  In  any  case  this  implement  ought  to  be  used  from  two  to  four  times 
after  the  corn  has  appeared,  and  before  it  has  becoire  more  than  say 


86       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Feraf^  and  Fodder  Plants. 


k  \ 


from  five  to  six  inches  in  height.  The  harrow  should  be  light  of 
draught  possessing  a  large  number  of  short  teeth,  with  a  backward 
rather  than  a  forward  slant,  and  it  should  be  so  constructed  as  to  cover 
a  wide  space  of  ground.  The  free  use  of  the  harrow  not  only  tends  to 
destroy  the  innumerable  weeds,  but  It  enables  the  soil  to  retain  ground 
moisture  which  would  otherwise  escape,  hence  it  materially  promotes 
rapid  growth  in  the  corn. 

Cultivation  should  begin  Immediately  when  the  plants  have  be* 
come  too  far  advanced  to  longer  admit  of  the  use  of  the  harrow  upon 
them.  The  corn  will  receive  benefit  from  being  cultivated  as  often  as 
once  a  week,  and  In  some  instances  more  frequently.  The  cultivation 
may  be  modei'ateiy  deep  at  first,  but  deeper- in  stiff  than  In  light  soils. 
In  every  Instance  It  should  come  as  near  as  possible  to  the  line  of  the 
row  witiiout  disturbing  the  plants,  and  as  the  season  advances  shoul't 
t>e  less  wide  and  more  shallow.  Ordinarily  it  may  be  continued  until 
the  corn  is  beginning  to  tassel  freely,  but  in  very  dry  seasons  the  crop 
may  receive  much  benefit  by  extending  the  period  of  shallow  cultiva- 
tion considerably  longer.  The  benefit  will  be  apparent  not  only  In  the 
marked  increase  In  the  yield  of  grain,  but  In  the  prolonged  greenness 
and  fuller  development  of  the  stalk.  Level  cultivation  will  be  found 
most  advantageous.  The  practice  all  too  common  of  ridging  the  corn 
when  the  last  cultivation  is  given  to  it  affords  a  good  opportunity  for 
numerous  weed  seeds  to  spring  Into  life,  leads  to  rapid  surface  evapo 
ration  from  atmospheric  influences,  and  is  hurtful  to  the  crop  In  other 
ways.  Where  due  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  growth  and  manage* 
ment  of  corn  as  regards  careful  cultivation  bat  little  hand  hoeing  may 
be  necessary,  and  in  some  instances  none  may  be  required.  But  it 
should  be  an  inviolable  rule  with  the  good  farmer  not  to  permit  weed 
seeds  to  mature  In  any  cultivated  crop. 

The  stage  at  which  the  corn  can  be  harvested  will  depend  upon 
the>use  to  be  made  of  the  crop.  When  it  Is  to  be  fed  as  a  soiling 
crop  to  sheep  the  feeding  may  commence  before  the  tasseling  season. 
If  It  Is  to  be  fed  as  a  soiling  crop  to  cattle,  the  feeding  had  better  be  de* 
fcrred  until  the  corn  is  in  tassel,  and  it  may  then  be  continued  until  the 
crop  is  matured.  When  the  corn  is  to  be  fed  as  a  soiling  crop  to  swine 
It  Is  common  to  allow  it  to  reach  the  milk  stage  on  the  ear  before  com- 
mencing to  feed  It,  but  It  may  be  utilized  with  advantage  at  an  earlier 
period  where  the  necessity  arises  tor  »o  doing.    When  the  crop  Is  In- 


"-j"  --,,, 


>*ii^ 


I*- 


ijk 


dder  Phnts, 

hould  be  light  of 
with  a  backward 
Iructed  as  to  cover 
not  only  tends  to 
II  to  retain  ground 
iterlally  promotes 

!  plants  have  be- 

the  harrow  upon 
vated  as  often  as 
The  cultivation 
lan  in  light  soils. 
:o  the  line  of  the 

advances  shouM 
«  continued  until 

seasons  the  crop 
f  shallow  cultiva> 
nt  not  only  In  the 
•longed  greenness 
on  will  be  found 

ridging  the  corn 
d  opportunity  for 
id  surface  evapo 
the  crop  in  other 
iwth  and  manage- 
land  hoeing  may 
required.  But  it 
t  to  permit  weed 

n\\\  depend  upon 
I  fed  as  a  soiling 
tasseling  season. 
:  had  better  be  de- 
ontinued  until  the 
ling  crop  to  swine 
le  ear  before  com- 
itage  at  an  earlier 
len  the  crop  is  in- 


Crofii. 


87 


tended  for  winter  fodder  the  corn  in  the  ear  should  be  matured  before 
the  cutting  takes  place.  It  would  be  preferable  to  harvf  it  the  corn 
when  not  quite  ripe  rather  than  when  too  mature,  as  thrn  the  stalks 
would  be  relished  much  better  by  the  stock.  If  corn  is  to  t>e  placed  In 
the  silo  It  should  be  cut  when  the  ears  have  reached  the  roasting  stage. 
When  cut  short  of  this  period  the  ensilage  will  not  be  so  sweet  nor  will 
Its  feeding  value  be  as  great.  When  cut  after  the  period  Indicated 
some  difficulty  may  be  found  In  keeping  ensilage  free  from  dry  mould. 
Where  the  crop  Is  to  be  husked  It  should  be  fully  matured  before  being 
harvested.  When  the  season  of  full  maturity  Is  pass.:.!  the  loss  in 
feeding  value  of  the  fodder  begins  at  once.  In  case  the  corn  has  been 
seriously  Injured  by  frost  further  maturing  will  be  arrested,  hence  no 
good  can  come  from  delay  In  cutting  the  crop.  Proriding  frosted  corn 
Is  cut  at  once  and  put  Into  the  silo,!  is  thought  that  It  receives  bat 
little  injury  from  having  been  frozen. 

Various  methods  of  harvesting  corn  have  been  adopted.  Some- 
times it  Is  cut  by  hand  with  the  corn  hook.  This  method  of  cutting 
has  been  more  commonly  resorted  to  than  any  other.  Oftentimes  it  Is 
cut  with  a  sled  with  adjustable  knives  attached  to  the  sides  of  the 
same  and  drawn  by  a  horse.  Two  men  stand  upon  it  and  catch  the 
corn  while  it  is  falling  and  lay  it  off  In  sheaves.  One  or  two  rows  can 
be  cut  at  a  time,  as  desired.  In  other  Instances  corn  Is  harvested  with 
a  binder,  but  the  machines  thus  utilized  have  not  yet  been  so  perfected 
as  to  do  uniformly  good  work. 

Should  the  corn  be  wanted  for  the  grain  or  the  winter  fodder,  it  is 
put  into  shocks  or  stooks  as  soon  as  cut.  Sometimes  it  is  first  bound 
into  sheaves.  These  may  be  tied  with  twine,  with  rye  straw  or  with 
the  stalks  of  corn.  But  more  cummonly  the  corn  is  stood  up  with  the 
aid  of  a  ••  horse,"  that  Is  to  say.  with  the  aid  of  a  pole  about  twelve 
feet  long,  with  legs  so  placed  under  one  end  as  to  raise  it  up  about  one- 
half  the  height  of  the  corn,  or  not  quite  so  high.  A  small  rod,  such  as 
a  broom  handle,  for  Instance,  runs  through  the  pole  not  far  from  the 
elevated  end.  The  corn  is  stood  in  the  four  corners  or  four  angles  thus 
formed,  with  an  Inclination  of  the  tops  to  one  another.  These  cone-llke 
shocks  are  then  bound  near  the  tips  once  or  twice  with  twine,  rye  or 
corn.  The  dryer  the  climate  and  the  mora  mature  the  corn  the  larger 
may  these  shocks  be  made.  When  the  corn  Is  husked  In  the  field 
the  straw  of  two  or  more  of  these  shocks  Is  put  together  in  one,  for 


r 


Croats,  Chvtn,  Fltld  Rostt,  Feragt  and  Fodder  Piantt, 


»  »; 


I'll 


*■%. 


better  protection  against  adverse  wsather,  be  It  over  dry  or  over  wet. 

The  practice  has  been  common  heretofore,  In  corn-growing  sections 
of  the  west  and  Northwest,  to  snap  off  the  ears  from  the  -.talk  and 
throw  them  Into  the  box  of  w  wagon,  systematically  driven  through 
the  flekd,  and  then  to  leave  the  fodder  or  stover  In  the  field,  to  be 
ploughed  under  after  It  has  been  eaten  in  part  by  the  cattle,  This  plan, 
IhouK^  economical  of  labor,  U  wasteful  of  fodder,  and  in  time  will 
probably  be  abandoned.  That  recent  invention  ktiown  as  a  shredding 
machine  will  llki'lv  soon  be  made  to  husk  much  of  the  corn  raised  in 
the  near  future,  and  It  is  more  than  probable  that  it  will  be  also  much 
used  when  preparing  the  stover  for  teeding.  In  the  meantime,  how- 
ever, the  good  old-fashioned  way  ot  hosking  the  corn  in  the  field  from 
the  stook^  and  then  tying  the  stover  In  slieaves  Is  likely  to  be  con- 
tinued for  sonic  lime  to  come,  when  but  small  quantities  arc  grown. 

No  better  place  can  be  found  for  storing  the  corn  itself  than  a  corn 
crib;  that  Is  to  .tay,  a  buHJIng  ihe  wail  of  which  have  small  spaces  or 
openings  between  the  boards  which  form  the  wails,  and  even  the  floor 
of  the  same.  There  Is  then  opportunity  for  a  suftkient  current  of  air  to 
pass  through  the  corn  all  the  time  to  prevent  It  from  moulding,  even 
when  put  Into  the  crib  in  a  fresh  state.  If  corn  be  piled  up  on  a  floor, 
or  deposited  In  a  deep  bin  In  the  autumn,  it  is  sure  to  mould  In  a 
greater  or  less  degree 

The  question  of  the  value  of  storing  corn  'w  the  silo,  as  compared 
with  curing  i.  In  the  field,  has  been  much  discussed.  Entire  agree- 
ment of  opinion  need  not  be  looked  for,  since  it  is  largely  a  question  of 
conditions.  In  climates  where  rains  are  frequent  In  the  autumn  or 
winter,  and  in  which  deep  snows  or  storms  are  not  uncommon.  It 
•hould  be  the  aim  to  cure  corn  in  the  silo.  Under  all  conditions  It  Is 
probably  the  most  economical  method  of  curing  corn  when  fed  In  a 
large  way.  But  the  necessity  for  silos  is  not  so  much  felt  in  regions  of 
light  precipitation  at  that  season  when  the  cut  corn  fodder  Is  exposed. 
It  Is  very  convenient  to  feed  corn  from  the  silo,  and  no  mode  of  storing 
it  under  cover  is  so  economical  of  room.  Sfios  will  doubtless  become 
much  more  common  in  the  Northwest  than  they  are  at  present. 

No  method  of  keeping  corn  fodder'frtom  the  time  of  harvesting  until 
required  for  feeding  purposes,  is  superior,  all  things  considered,  to  that 
of  leaving  it  in  the  field  until  desired  for  use,  and  then  drawing  It  to 
the  feeding  place.    The  mode  of  conveyance  will  vary  with  the  dis- 


J, 


adUSrr  PUmtt. 

f  r  dry  or  over  wet. 
n-growing  section! 
from  th«  i^talk  nnd 
Hy  driven  thtouKh 
In  the  field,  to  be 
I  cattle.  This  plan, 
,  and  In  lime  will 
>wn  as  a  shredding 
'  the  corn  raised  In 
t  wltl  be  also  much 
le  meantime,  how- 
rn  In  the  field  from 
I  likely  to  be  con* 
[ities  Arc  grown. 
I  Itself  than  a  corn 
ive  smalt  spaces  or 
and  even  the  floor 
!nt  current  of  air  to 
m  moulding,  even 
)lled  up  on  a  floor, 
ure  to  mould  In  a 

!  silo,  as  compared 
led.  Entire  agree* 
rgeiy  a  question  of 
in  the  autumn  or 
not  uncommon,  It 
all  conditions  It  Is 
orn  when  fed  In  a 
:h  felt  In  regions  of 
fodder  Is  exposed, 
no  mode  of  storing 
doubtless  become 
at  present, 
of  harvesting  until 
considered,  to  that 
then  drawing  It  to 
vary  with  the  dls- 


€W^ 


tanca  wMch  It  will  have  to  be  drawn,  and  the  way  in  which  it  will 
require  to,  b«  fed.  The  sled,  the  stone  boat,  the  chain  m^h  t'"i«  ws^on 
will  ;(il  render  excellent  service  In  lonveying  corn  un  Jer  t-rtam  condl* 
tions. 

When  corn  Is  put  In  the  silo.  It  Is  common  to  run  •  through  a  ^  ut- 
tlng  bo "4,  driven  by  stean  or  horse  power.  If  the  corn  ha'i  reached  the 
roasting  stage,  it  mn-  be  put  Into  the  sil.>  at  (ince.  Where  not  so  far 
advanctd,  It  may  be  allowed  to  wilt  before  putting  it  Into  the  sllo,  and 
the  degree  of  the  wilting  should  be  in  proportion  to  the  greenness  of 
the  corn.  When  the  corn  can  be  drawn  to  the  silu  with  low  tri-cks 
and  a  platform  cover  or  ratk,  the  labor  o»  loading  it  is  much  lessened. 
The  corn  is  spread  evenly  in  the  silo,  and  Is  tr«mpied  by  the  person 
who  spreads  It,  partlcuLirly  around  the  sides,  and  most  of  all  In  the 
comer*.  To  cover  the  whole  ground  relating  to  corn  and  the  ^lio 
would  require  a  large  volume  on  this  subject  alone. 

Mlil«t — Millet,  like  corn.  Is  a  child  of  the  sun,  hence  when  It 
once  gets  a  good  start.  It  can  stand  drought  tnd  heat  fairly  well.  It 
seems  peculiarly  adaptetl  to  prairie  countries,  and  yields  large  crops  of 
palatable  and  nutritious  food.  It  may  be  sown  In  a  sense  as  a  catch 
crop,  and  af  a  season  of  the  year  when  labor  Is  not  so  pressing  on  the 
farm  as  at  some  other  times.  The  time  therefore,  Is  nat  likely  to  come 
when  millet  will  cease  to  be  a  prominent  fodder  crop  In  Minnesota. 

Millet  furnishes  an  excellent  food  for  feeding  In  the  gr^en  state; 
that  Is,  on  the  soiling  principle.  It  makes  excellent  winter  fodder  for 
horses,  milch  cows  and  other  cattle,  also  for  sheep.  If  cut  and  fed  at 
the  right  stage,  and  when  at  the  same  time  it  Is  properly  cured.  But  if 
allowed  to  become  over-ripe,  it  soon  gets  woody  and  consequently  un- 
palatable, and  when  dried  too  much  in  the  sun  while  being  cured,  Its 
feeding  value  Is  greatly  Impaired.  The  seed  furnishes  good  food  for  ail 
kinds  of  livestock  if  judiciously  fed,  but  when  the  crop  Is  allowed  to 
ripen,  the  feeding  \  ilue  of  the  straw  or  fodder  portion  Is  very  much 
lessened.  The  idea  has  gained  currency,  that  if  millet  be  fed  freely 
and  continuously  for  a  long  period,  Impaired  digestion  may  arise  In 
consequence,  and  that  there  Is  danger  of  the  urinary  organs  being 
affected  adversely.  But  these  results  are  not  likely  to  follow  when  the 
millet  has  been  properly  harvested,  and  when  at  the  same  time  It  Is 
only  fed  as  one  factor  of  the  food  ration. 

It  Is  of  several  varieties,  and  prominent  among  those  suitable  for 


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th«  NorthWMl  art  lh«  Mtotowl  or  Common  mllitt,  Garman  mllitt, 
Hungarian  grats.  GolJcn  Wonder  millet,  and  Broom  Corn  millet. 
Tha  Common  millet  grows  much  seed,  but  does  not  yield  so  much 
fodder,  nor  to  valuable  as  some  of  the  other  varieties.  Tha  Carman 
millet  grow*  stronRly  and  Is  o(  a  leafy  habit  of  Rrowth,  hence  It  pro- 
vides most  exiellent  fodder.  And  It  may  be  mentioned  here  In  pass- 
ing, that  where  tha  seed  sown  Is  of  southern  growth,  the  best  yields  of 
fodder  may  b«  expected.  Hungarian  gra'S,  much  akin  to  the  (ierman 
millet  In  Its  habits  of  growth,  has  seeds  of  a  dark  shade. 

The  Golden  Wonder  millet  Is  very  productive  of  seed.  The  heads 
ara  uncommonly  long  and  heavy.  Because  of  the  large  yields  of  seed 
that  may  Da  obUlned  from  this  variety,  it  is  becoming  a  favorite  when 
seed  Is  tha  chief  object  sought  And  since  It  will  ripen  further  to  "he 
north  than  corn,  it  may  in  some  respects  be  used  as  a  substitute  for 
that  king  of  fodder  plants. 

Broom  Corn  millet,  or  Hog  mlliat,  for  it  Is  known  by  both  names, 
has  also  been  found  an  excellent  substitute  for  corn  In  sections  where 
the  latter  will  not  ripen.  But  it  may  also  be  grown  profitably  in  many 
corn  growing  sections.  It  bears  a  close  resemblance  to  broom  corn 
while  It  is  growing,  henca  probably  the  origin  of  the  name.  It  is  raised 
more  for  the  seed  than  some  of  the  other  varieties  of  millet,  but  some- 
times it  is  raised  for  fodder  only.  When  grown  for  thesaed  It  should  be 
harvested  with  the  binder.  The  seed  stands  In  high  favor  as  a  food 
for  swine  in  those  sections  of  the  west  where  It  has  been  tried. 

IMIIiet  requires  a  soli  rich  in  vegetable  matter  and  of  free  texture. 
Loams,  whether  of  a  clay  or  sandy  character,  will  produce  millet 
abundantly.  Dark  prairie  soils  grow  It  admirably,  and  muck  soils 
capable  of  proper  cultivation  at  the  right  season  will  yield  very  heavy 
crop*.  Clays  and  sands  grow  It  shyly,  the  former  because  of  their  ad- 
hesiveness and  the  latter  because  of  their  porous  character.  Millet  may 
be  sown  In  the  Northwest  any  time  after  the  corn-planting  season  has 
arrived.  If  sown  in^the  early  spring  while  the  ground  Is  cold  and  the 
seuon  Is  also  cold,  it  will  not  do  so  well  as  when  sown  later. 

The  season  for  sowing  millet  may  be  prolonged  until  well  on  into 
the  summer,  so  long  as  the  soil  contains  enough  moisture  to  sustain 
growth.  At  least  from  sixty  to  seventy-five  days  are  required  to  bring 
millet  to  that  stage  when  it  will  make  a  full  crop  of  fodder.  It  Is  very 
easily  Injured  by  autumn  frosts. 


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m  Corn  millet, 
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leld  very  heavy 
ause  of  their  ad- 
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J  Is  cold  and  the 
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ntll  well  on  Into 
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92       Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

When  millet  Is  the  only  crop  grown  on  the  soli  during  the  sea- 
son the  ground  may  be  prepared  in  a  similar  way  as  for  a  crop  of 
corn.  The  more  frequently  the  ground  Is  stirred  In  the  spring  before 
the  millet  is  sown  the  cleaner  and  better  the  crop  is  lii<ely  to  be. 
When  It  comes  after  rye  that  has  been  pastured,  or  after  a  spring  sown 
crop  that  has  proved  a  failure,  spring  ploughing  will  of  course  be 
necessary. 

The  seed  may  be  sown  by  hand,  by  some  form  of  broadcast  seeder, 
and  by  the  seeder  attachment  to  the  grain-drill.  When  the  last  men- 
tioned implement  Is  employed  the  seed  will  fail  before  the  tubes  so 
that  in  finely  pulverized  soils  further  harrowing  may  not  be  necessary. 
Under  other  conditions  ihe  seed  should  be  covered  with  some  form  of 
smoothing  harrow.  From  one-half  bushel  to  one  bushel  of  seed  per 
acre  will  be  sufficient. 

Millet  is  ready  for  being  harvested  for  hay  as  soon  as  a  majority 
cf  heads  have  distinctly  appeared.  When  cut  at  this  stage  there  is 
virtually  no  loss  from  the  shelling  of  the  seed  and  the  fodder  is  leafy 
and  appetizing.  It  Is  a  crop  which  requires  more  time  to  cure  than 
native  hay,  but  It  may  be  made  ready  for  storing  by  exactly  the  same 
methods.    These  are  given  further  on. 

Cereals.— Nearly  rM  the  cereals  may  be  grown  for  fodder  uses 
with  much  advantage  The  exceptions  are  barley  and  rye.  The 
beards  on  the  former  lessen  its  feeding  value,  and  the  straw  of  the 
latter  becomes  too  woody  to  be  palatable  at  an  early  stage  of  maturity. 
When  thus  grown  cereals  are  allowed  to  reach  the  early  stage  of  ripen- 
ing only,  for  the  reason,  first,  that  they  then  contain  nearly  If  not  quite 
as  much  nutriment  as  though  fully  ripe;  second,  they  are  more  keenly 
relished  by  live  stock;  and,  third,  there  Is  but  little  loss  when  han- 
dling them  from  the  shedding  of  the  grain.  The  labor  and  cost  of 
threshing  are  thereby  avoided,  and  there  is  no  outlay  for  grinding  the 
grain,  since  It  Is  fed  In  the  straw.  When  thus  fed  the  full  feeding 
value  is  obtained  from  the  grain,  more  especially  if  consumed  by  ru- 
minating animals,  as  it  Is  then  remasticated.  Thi^  does  not  always 
follow  when  the  grain  Is  fed  directly,  in  fact  It  never  does  when  fed  in 
the  form  of  meal,  unless  the  meal  is  mixed  with  some  more  bulky  food 
before  the  feeding  takes  place.  Much  more  attention  should  therefore 
be  given  by  the  farmers  of  the  Northwest  to  growing  grains  singly  or 
in  combination  for  soiling  uses  or  for  fodder.  The  wisdom  of  threshing 


r 


.ka^ki 


Fodder  Plants. 

soil  during  the  sea- 
ay  as  for  a  crop  of 
In  the  spring  before 
rop  Is  likely  to  be. 
r  after  a  spring  sown 
g  will  of  course  be 

1  of  broadcast  seeder, 

When  the  last  men- 

before  the  tubes  so 

ay  not  be  necessary. 

with  some  form  of 

bushel  of  seed  per 

soon  as  a  majority 
t  this  stage  there  is 

the  fodder  is  leafy 
e  time  to  cure  than 
)y  exactly  the  same 

}wn  for  fodder  uses 
rley  and  rye.  The 
nd  the  straw  of  the 
ly  stage  of  maturity, 
early  stage  of  ripen- 
in  nearly  if  not  quite 
hey  are  more  keenly 
ttle  loss  when  han- 
le  labor  and  cost  of 
itlay  for  grinding  the 
fed  the  full  feeding 
y  if  consumed  by  ru- 
hU  does  not  always 
ver  does  when  fed  In 
[>me  more  bulky  food 
ition  should  therefore 
wing  grains  singly  or 
wisdom  of  threshing 


r 


.teMhl 


94    >  Grasses,  Clovtrs,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 

grain  and  then  gTinding  it  before  feeding  it  to  live  stoci<  is  ceitainly  to 
be  questioned  when  even  better  resuits  may  be  looked  for  from  feeding 
It  in  the  straw.  It  is  at  least  probable  that  In  the  near  future  much  of 
the  grain  grown  as  food  for  live  stock  will  be  thus  fed.  Some  farmers 
who  have  learned  from  their  experience  that  in  many  instances  greater 
yields  may  be  obtained  from  growing  grains  In  combination  rather  than 
singly  have  abandoned  the  practice,  because  they  have  found  it  difTi- 
cuit  to  separate  the  varieties  after  they  were  threshed.  But  why  desire 
to  separate  them  if  they  can  be  fed  to  live  stock?  When  the  grain  Is 
wanted  without  admixture  cereals  should  never  be  grown  In  com- 
bination. 

'  All  varieties  of  cereals  are  not  equally  adapted  to  the  production  of 
fodder.  The  best  kinds  to  choose  are  those  distinguished  by  a  vigor- 
ous growth,  which  produce  straw  of  a  fine  rather  than  coarse  character 
and  which  are  amply  possessed  of  the  stooling  quality.  Happily 
those  varieties  found  best  adapted  to  the  production  of  grain  are  also 
those  generally  found  most  suitable  for  growth  as  fodder.  Some  of  the 
cereals  which  have  been  found  best  suited  to  the  conditions  of  the 
Northwest  will  now  be  given. 

The  leading  kinds  of  spring  wheat  Include  the  Saskatchewan  Fife, 
the  Velvet  Chaff  Blue  Stem  and  the  Plllsbury.  The  first  mentioned 
variety  Is  too  well  known  to  require  further  description.  The  second 
is  a  bald  wheat  with  white  chaff,  distinguished  by  a  blue  shade  below 
the  head  before  It  ripens,  hence  the  origin  of  the  name.  This  variety 
Is  hardy,  rugged  and  considerably  more  productive  than  the  Fife. 
Originally  it  was  from  five  to  six  days  later  than  the  latter  In  ripening. 
But  through  long  continued  and  rareful  selection,  some  strain?  of  this 
variety  have  been  obtained  possessed  of  all  the  good  qualities  of  the 
Fife,  and  which  ripen  quite  as  early  and  yield  much  more  abundantly. 
The  third  Is  a  selection  from  the  Fife  and  Is  the  best  type  of  the  Hard 
Fife  wheat 

Among  the  leading  varieties  of  oats  are  the  Lincoln,  the  Negro 
Wonder,  the  White  Russian,  the  Early  Archangel  and  the  Golden 
Giant  Side  oats.  The  Lincoln  oat  was  introduced  to  the  Northwest- 
ern public  by  the  Northrup,  Braslan,  Goodwin  Co.,  In  189i  The 
yields  obtained  have  been  very  large  and  in  some  instances  extra- 
ordinarily so.  It  ripens  early,  stands  up  well,  has  a  thin  hull  and  is 
said  to  be  rust  proof.    The  Negro  Wonder  is  a  gray  oat,  characterized 


.teM* 


dder  Plants. 

toik  Is  ceitalnly  to 
•d  for  (roin  fcfdlng 
ear  future  much  of 
!d.  Some  farmers 
y  Instances  greater 
Inatlon  rather  than 
[lave  found  It  diffi- 
1.  But  why  desire 
Vhen  the  grain  is 
be  grown  In  com> 

0  the  production  of 
lished  by  a  vlgor- 
in  coarse  character 
quality.     Happily 

of  grain  are  also 

dder.    Some  of  the 

conditions  of  the 

Saskatchewan  Fife, 
he  first  mentioned 
tlon.     The  second 

1  blue  shade  below 
me.  This  variety 
Ive  than  the  Fife. 
e  latter  in  ripening, 
lome  strain?  rf  this 
lod  qualities  of  the 
ti  more  abundantly. 
it  type  of  the  Hard 

-incoln,  the  Negro 
el  and  the  Golden 
to  the  Northwest- 
:o.,  In  1893.  The 
ne  instances  extra- 
a  thin  hull  and  is 
r  oat,  characterized 


Fodder  CroPt. 


M 


by  early  maturity,  stiffness  of  straw  and  good  stooling  qualities.  The 
White  Russian,  though  an  old  variety,  is  still  popular  where  the  seed 
can  be  obtained  in  Its  purity.  The  Early  Archangel,  Introduced  from 
iiussia,  Is  a  very  early  kind  and  Is  better  adapted  to  light  soils  than 
some  of  the  other  sorts.  The  Golden  Giant  Is  a  side  oat,  which  pro- 
duces a  long  head  and  yields  abundantly,  but  Is  somewhat  late  in 
ripening. 

The  leading  varieties  of  peas  comprise  the  Chancellor,  Golden 
Vine,  Crown,  Prussian  Blue,  White  Marrowfat  and  the  Black  Eyed 
Marrowfat.  The  Chancellor  Is  an  early  and  productive  variety,  well 
adapted  for  the  Northwest.  The  Golden  Vine  and  the  Crown  are  well 
tried  varieties  whlcTi  have  given  satisfaction  to  the  growers.  The 
Prussian  Blue  grows  vigorously  and  yields  an  abundant  crop.  The 
White  and  the  Black  Eyed  Marrowfats  are  very  large  and  hardy  vari- 
eties, the  straws  of  which  are  strong  and  coarse. 

The  kinds  of  barley  which  stand  high  in  favor  include  the  Man> 
sury  or  Mensury,  the  Highland  Chief  and  the  Improved  Black.  The 
Mansury,  a  six  rowed  barley,  Is  one  of  the  most  vigorous  and  largest 
yielding  varieties  now  grown,  and  was  originally  imported  from  Asia. 
The  Highland  Chief  Is  a  two  rowed  sort.  The  kernel  of  the  grain  Is 
unusually  plump  and  large  and  it  Is  claimed  that  it  does  not  discolor 
so  easily  as  some  other  kinds.  The  Improved  Black  barley  is  one  of 
the  most  useful  kinds  that  can  be  grown  for  feeding  purposes,  and 
it  weighs  as  heavily  as  wheat. 

Whether  cereals  are  grown  for  the  grain  or  for  fodder  uses,  the 
mode  of  preparing  the  soil  will  be  essentially  the  same.  The  object 
aimed  at  in  either  case  should  be  to  adopt  a  rotation  that  will  keep  the 
ground  as  free  from  weeds  as  possible,  to  plough  It  In  the  autumn 
rather  than  in  the  spring,  to  plough  shallow  rather  than  deep  and  to 
sow  with  the  grain  drill  rather  than  broadcast. 

OaU.— The  oat  crop  may  be  grown  with  much  success  as  a  fodder 
crop  throughout  all  the  Northwest.  In  dry  sections  where  a  "stand" 
of  grass  cannot  be  readily  obtained  it  has  been  thought  preferable  by 
some  farmers  to  grow  oats  instead,  and  to  feed  them  in  the  straw  either 
in  the  cut  or  uncut  form.  If  raised  for  the  use  Indicated  It  Is  Important 
that  they  should  be  harvested  at  that  stage  which  will  secure  the 
maximum  feeding  value  In  both  straw  and  grain,  and  in  order  to  ac. 
compllsh  this,  it  will  be  necessary  to  cut  the  crop  when  a  little  under- 


^■Mi 


96       Gra:s*s,  Clovtrs,  FUU  Roots,  Foragt  ami  FodiUr  Plants. 

ripe.  The  crop  may  be  cut  with  the  mower  and  curej  In  the  same  way 
as  hay,  or  It  may  be  harvested  with  the  binder  and  cured  In  the  shock. 
When  oats  are  cured  thus,  they  furnish  excellent  fodder  for  horses, 
milch  cows  and  other  cattle,  and  also  for  sheep.  Those  varieties  will 
be  found  the  most  suitable  which  do  not  lodRe  readily,  which  are  pos- 
sessed of  good  stooling  properties,  and  which  also  yield  a  fair  amount 
of  straw,  fine  rather  than  coarse  In  quality.  Two  bushels  of  seed  per 
acre  may  be  required  when  the  drill  Is  used,  and  in  some  instances  a 
larger  quantity. 

0«t«and  Wheat.— Oats  and  wheat  grown  together  furnish  an 
excellent  winter  fodder  for  cattle.  When  used  as  a  food  for  live  stock 
there  Is  probably  no  other  way  In  which  It  can  be  grown  more  cheaply 
or  fed  with  so  much  profit.  The  Northwest  Is  proverbially  a  wheat 
raising  country,  hence  there  Is  much  propriety  In  making  wheat  one 
factor  of  a  fodder  crop.  Wheat  and  oats  may  be  grown  together  with 
great  success  and  considerably  larger  yields  can  be  obtained  from  the 
combined  crop,  than  from  either  grown  separately.  This  -Top  can  be 
conveniently  harvested  with  the  binder.  Two  bushels  of  seed  may  De 
used  in  sowing  with  the  drill.  The  proportions  may  be  varied  In  order 
to  secure  the  result  desired  by  the  grower. 

Oata  and  Pmu.— Oats  and  peas  when  sown  together  furnish  an 
excellent  winter  food,  more  especially  for  cattle  that  are  being  fattened, 
for  milch  cows  and  for  sheep.  The  directions  g'.ven  in  Chapter  IV  In 
growing  peas  and  oats  as  a  soiling  crop  will  also  be  found  equally  ap- 
plicable in  growing  them  for  winter  fodder.  But  If  desired  for  the  lat- 
ter use  the  crop  is  not  ready  for  harvesting  at  so  early  a  stage.  The 
best  time  for  cutting  is  when  the  grain  reaches  the  doufrh  state.  The 
feeding  value  of  the  crop  has  then  nearly  attained  Its  maximum,  the 
straw  Is  palatable  and  there  is  but  little  loss  from  shelling.  The  binder 
can  be  used  advantageously  when  harvesting  this  crop  but  It  can  also 
be  harvested  In  the  same  manner  as  native  hay. 

OaU,  Pcaa  and  Wheat.— This  crop  provides  an  admirable  fod- 
der for  live  stock.  The  variety  not  only  adds  to  the  yield  obtained, 
but  It  also  gives  an  additional  feeding  value  to  the  crop.  It  may  be 
harvested  with  the  binder.  When  the  seed  Is  sown  with  the  drill, 
about  two  and  a  half  bushels  may  be  used  per  acre.  The  proportions 
of  the  seed  In  the  mixture  may  be  two  parts  each  of  oats  and  wheat 
and  one  part  of  peas. 


.teMh 


red  In  the  same  way 
cured  In  the  shock, 
t  (odder  for  horses, 
rhose  varieties  will 
Illy,  which  are  pes- 
yield  a  fair  amount 
bushels  of  seed  per 
In  some  Instances  a 

together  furnish  an 
I  food  for  live  stock 
;rown  more  cheaply 
roverbially  a  wheat 
maklnfc  wheat  one 
;rown  together  with 
e  obtained  from  the 
.  This  ':rop  can  be 
hels  of  seed  may  De 
ly  be  varied  In  order 

together  furnish  an 
t  are  being  fattened, 
in  In  Chapter  IV  In 
e  found  equally  ap- 
desired  for  the  lat- 
Early  a  stage.  The 
!  dou^h  state.  The 
I  its  maximum,  the 
helling.  The  binder 
crop  but  it  can  also 

I  an  admirable  fod- 
the  yield  obtained, 
)e  crop.  It  may  be 
sown  with  the  drill, 
e.  The  proportions 
of  oats  and  wheat 


/VvAA-r  Crofm, 


W 


The  EvtrUkitXnt  Pea.  [tathyrw:  ^yhunlrh  Wagnrri)  Is  also 
known  as  the  llat  pci  anJ  It  has  been  but  recently  introduced  Into 
North  AiniTlca.  It  Is  rapidly  K.ilnlnK  f.ivor  in  Europe,  particularly  in 
(lermany  where  Professor  Wagner  has  Kiven  much  attention  to  its 
lmprovi>mi'nt  during  late  years.  It  Is  commonly  mentioned  as  a  forage 
plant,  but  It  la  probable  that  In  the  dry  ciirvate  of  the  Northwest  it  will 


prove  more  satisfactory  when  grown  to  furnish  fodder  rather  than  for- 
age. Close  cropping  by  live  stock  In  the  early  part  of  the  season  may 
certainly  be  expected  to  hinder  Its  growth  in  the  area  referred  to.  But 
In  the  more  moist  sections  of  the  continent  It  will  doubtless  serve  for 
either  forage  or  fodder  uses.    Experience  in  growing  it  In  America  Is  as 


T 


tirassfs,  CV(nvrf,  /■'»>/«/  AW/.f,  Fora^^  ««</  l-'oddtr  I'lanh, 


1    t 


;•; 


yet  limited,  hence  It  Is  lUtlng  that  all  referenee<i  bearing  upon  It*  fnnd 
pruUucInu  vaiu?  oti  this  lontlnent,  be  made  with  cautloii. 

At  shown  In  the  Illustration  the  cvrrliistlnK  pea  proUines  an  Im- 
mense crop  ot  tclluKC-  Some  havp  claimed  that  It  will  yield  at  least 
two  Roud  cuttlnMS  a  year,  but  in  the  limited  experience  of  tlie  writer  In 
KrowInK  this  plant  In  Ontario,  Canada,  It  produced  but  one  cutdnK  the 
second  year  after  It  was  sown.  This  one  crop  however,  weighed  at 
the  rate  of  IS  tonii  per  acre  when  newly  cut,  and  results  very  similar 
have  been  obtained  at  the  State  Experiment  Station  In  MIchlKan.  The 
roots  go  down  deeply  Into  the  soil,  hence  the  plants  possess  great  power 
to  resist  the  Influence  of  drought,  The  i'  ilm  has  also  been  made  that 
they  will  live  to  a  great  age.  The  plants  endure  low  temperatures  In 
winter,  and  the  foliage  Is  not  easily  Injured  by  frost.  It  retains  its 
greenness  until  winter  Is  at  hand.  As  this  promising  plant  Is  a  legume, 
It  possesses  tne  power  of  enriching  soils  by  means  of  the  nitrogen 
which  It  absorbs  and  conveys  from  the  atmosphere  to  them  and  as  the 
tubercles  formed  on  the  roots  are  numerous.  It  would  seem  to  have  this 
power  In  an  unusual  degree.  Its  feeding  value  has  been  estimated 
equal  to  about  twice  that  of  red  clover,  ton  for  ton,  and  live  stock  are 
fond  of  it,  whether  in  the  green  or  the  cured  state.  The  hardihood  of 
the  everlasting  pea  as  regards  endurance  of  both  drought  and  cold,  and 
the  readiness  with  which  It  retains  Its  hold  upon  the  soil  are  strong 
recommendations  in  its  favor.  But  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  plentiful 
supplies  of  seed  may  hinder  its  rapid  introduction,  as  It  docs  not  seem 
to  bear  seed  abundantly. 

The  everlasting  pea  will  grow  on  almost  any  free  working  soil  with 
a  moderately  porous  subsoil,  and  Is  best  adapted  to  sandy  soils.  It  can 
be  made  to  luxuriate  on  light  sands  even,  after  It  has  been  once  estab- 
lished upon  them.  The  sowing  may  take  place  early  In  the  spring;  it 
has  been  usual  hitherto  to  plant  the  seeds  In  drills  from  twenty-four  to 
thirty  inches  distant  from  one  another,  six  inches  apart  in  the  drill  and 
fully  three  Inches  deep  in  prairie  soils.  As  the  seed  Is  slow  of  germina- 
tion, that  of  some  plant  which  springs  up  more  quickly  may  be  sown 
In  the  same  drills,  which  will  serve  so  to  mark  the  line  of  the  rows, 
that  the  cultivation  may  begin  at  an  earlier  period.  It  would  seem 
necessary  to  give  the  everlasing  pea  most  careful  culture  during  the 
first  season,  after  which  it  would  doubtless  be  able  to  takecaieof  itself. 
It  should  not  be  eaten  off  the  first  year.     And  probably  more  fodder 


I'oJdtr  fUanls, 

•irlng  upon  1(4  fotni 

lutlon. 

^en  produces  an  Ini- 

It  will  yield  at  least 

ence  of  tlie  writer  In 

J  but  one  cutdng  the 

lowever,  weighed  at 

result"!  very  similar 
n  In  MkhlKan.  The 
I  possess  vL^t&{  power 
alsu  been  made  that 
low  temperatures  In 

frost.  It  retains  Its 
HK  plant  Isaledume, 
rans  of  the  nitrogen 
e  to  them  and  as  the 
lid  seem  to  have  thb 

has  been  estimated 
I,  and  live  stock  are 
.  The  hardihood  of 
rought  and  cold,  and 
I  the  soil  are  strong 
)f  obtaining  plentiful 

as  It  does  not  seem 

ree  working  soil  with 

0  sandy  soils.  It  can 
tias  been  once  estab- 
arly  in  the  spring;  it 

1  from  twenty-four  to 
apart  In  the  drill  and 
:d  Is  slow  of  germ  ina- 
jlckly  may  be  sown 
he  line  of  the  rows, 
od.  It  would  seem 
il  culture  during  the 
e  to  take  caie  of  itself, 
robably  more  fodder 


flukkr  Crofit, 


will  h»  ftHaliird  from  It  if  not  cropped  off  or  cut  loo  <loa»tv  In  th*-  au- 
tumn In  sci  lions  of  coimlry  wli.  fc  the  wliitiTi  art  ••vert.  The  pmper 
time  f.ir  cutting  and  curinu  the  plants  Is  apparently  when  they  are  In 
full  bloom. 

5ac«llna  (rolyi^onum  MihiiUntH$t\—X\\\%  new  fodder  plant  It 
receiving  no  little  attention,  both  In  Hurope  and  North  Amrrlci.  at  the 
present  time.    Good  authorities,  several  of  whom  have  had  some  w 


(4ACAI.INI!. 


perience  In  growing  it,  speak  hopefully  with  reference  to  Its  future  In 
the  United  States,  and  more  especially  in  those  sections  where  the  rain- 
fall Is  Insufficient.    It  Is  said  to  have  been  discovered  by  the  Russian 


too      lifUfut,  i'/ifivrt,  f-'/t/if  JtMft,  Fi>nijtrr  >iHi/  /-'ihMfr  PliiMh, 


•xplorcr,  Maxlmowli/.,  tit  th«  t<il!UttJ  of  Siighiilln  or  H«khiilln,  ■itii«t«d 
In  Um  Sta  of  ( )khot«l<,  bclwrrn  Japan  an  J  Siberia.    . 

This  plant  U  leafy  In  lii  habit  «f  Kr<>wth.  It  ptiihes  rnpMly  onwarJ 
durlriK  the  wasw\  of  veKctotlon,  anJ  when  not  chrtUrJ  by  culling  It 
off,  U  (nptible  of  attalnlriK  the  helulit  of  nrvcral  frrt  In  a  slnifle  Jiiim- 
in«r.  Iti  root*  raJlate  from  a  centre  anJ  extend  »o  quickly  that  In  a 
•InKle  year  It  l«  aaltl  they  will  occupy  the  toll  over  a  raJltin  of  three 
feet.  The  rootsfock«  are  poMetieJ  of  numermtH  biiJ»,  whUh  throw 
up  fresh  Mrm«  at  they  extend.  It  l<t  cLilmcd  that  &  t\\\^\t  younit  plant 
will  produce  enouuh  root-stock*  In  one  season  to  furnish  a  hundred 
cuttlnits. 

The  analysis  of  sacallne  shows  It  to  be  possessed  of  hiKh  nutritive 
quiilllles.  Several  ciittlnKS  are  said  to  be  produced  yearly,  and  It  Is 
claimed  that  live  stock  are  (ond  of  It. 

It  is  further  claimed  that  s.icallne  will  grow  In  soils  stony,  rocky, 
Mndy  or  uravrlly  -  In  a  word,  In  a  j^reat  variety  of  soils  It  Is  propa- 
gated by  the  seed  and  also  by  cuttings  obtained  from  the  root-stocks. 
When  cnttlnns  art  used  they  arc  simply  burled  In  previously  prepared 
•oil  to  the  depth  ot  about  six  Inches  and  they  are  planted  three  feet 
apart  each  way. 

Sacallne  should  certainly  be  tried,  but  with  a  prudent  caution  at 
first,  .IS  experience  In  urnwlnj;  It  In  the  Northwest  Is  almost  entirely 
wantinK. 

Tha  Sunflower.  The  sunflower  Is  capable  of  producInK  a  larRe 
quantity  of  food  that  can  be  utlll/ed  In  various  ways  upon  the  farm. 
The  seed  provides  an  excellent  diet  lor  many  kinds  of  fowls.  It  may 
also  be  used  with  advantage  and  profit  In  feeding  other  llvt  stock, 
thout;h  but  little  attention  has  been  nlven  hitherto  to  ralshiK  this  plant 
In  America.  The  growth  of  the  sunflower  Is  now  recommended  for  en- 
sll.vre.  When  raised  for  this  purpose  the  heads  are  removed  from  the 
stalks  and  run  through  a  cutting  box,  so  that  they  can  be  mixed  with 
the  corn  which  Is  also  being  placed  In  the  silo.  When  thus  stored  the 
ensilage  Is  specially  recommended  as  food  for  cows  giving  milk,  and 
at  the  same  time  Is  said  to  be  a  good  food  for  other  kinds  of  live  stock. 

Although  the  sunflower  will  thrive  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  contl- 
tlnent.  It  Is  admirably  adapted  to  the  conditions  of  the  Northwest. 
Possessed  of  great  power  to  withstand  drought,  this  plant  luxuriates  In 
prairie  soils,  grows  rapidly,  and  will  mature  In  latitudes  north  of  the 


r  PftHh, 

ir  s.iUhitlln,  »itiiiM»4 

i<<hr!i  rnpMly  onwarJ 
lifkUrU  by  iiitllriK  It 
frrt  In  It  iliit{t<  «iiin< 
•o  quickly  that  In  a 
ver  a  raUltii  of  thrat 
biiJii.  whlih  throw 
I  atn^l«  youHK  plant 
<  furnhh  «  hunJrrii 

wJ  of  hiKh  nutritive 
ceJ  yearly,  and  It  l« 

I  noils  ttony,  rocky, 
(  soils  It  h  propa- 
from  the  root-stock*, 
previously  pr." parpj 
ire  planted  three  feet 

R  prudent  caution  nt 
■ft  Is  almost  entirely 

ot  producliiK  n  large 
'ays  upon  the  farm, 
is  o(  (owls.  It  may 
nn  other  live  stock, 

to  ralslMK  this  plant 
ecommendeJ  for  en- 
ire  removed  from  the 
I  can  be  mixed  with 
Vhen  thus  stored  the 
wsKivInK  milk,  and 

kinds  of  live  stock, 
il  parts  of  the  contl- 
9  of  the  Northwest. 
Is  plant  luxuriates  in 
itltudes  north  of  the 


i^*^     -^ 


CfP^%. 


tw 


foiiy  iiiiitli  j>  if.«i|.|  VVIn-n  «?>>*!!  In  strips  In  scttinns  where  the  skII 
\%  llaM*  to  blow,  It  may  be  made  to  render  excellent  ecrvke  In  (htck< 
Init  the  sweep  of  the  wlrult.  And  It  has  been  J  timed  that  a  flnK  of 
•unflowers  around  a  farm,  when  the  pi  inti  In  it  »tand  closely  totffther, 
will  form  .in  effective  barrier  against  Invasion  from  the  Kusslan  thistle, 
a*  It  Koes  tumbling  over  the  prairie. 

The  usu-tl  time  of  plantinu  thesunllower  In  the  Northwest  Is  durln« 
the  latter  p.irt  of  May,  but  the  seed  can  be  sown  even  some  weeks  later, 
when  there  Is  enough  moisture  In  the  soli  fo  d*vciop  yrowtl  ."he  seed 
may  be  sown  with  the  grain  drill  and  the  rows  made  from  thirty  to 


Mammoth  Ui'mmian  Hri(Pi/>wKn. 


forty-two  Inches  apart,  to  suit  the  attendant  conditions.  The  distance 
of  the  plants  in  the  line  of  the  row  may  also  bw  varied.  The  averajjc 
distance  will  probably  be  found  somewhere  between  six  and  twelve 
Inches.  Cultivation  between  the  rows  sliould  commence  as  soon  as 
the  young  plants  clearly  mark  the  line  of  the  row.  When  the  cultiva- 
tion given  Is  frequent  and  prolonged,  the  yield  of  the  crop  will  be 
greatly  Improved.  No  iiand  hoeing  is  required,  other  than  to  remove 
the  weeds  which,  if  left,  would  mature. 

Although  the  high  feeding  value  of  the  sunflower  Is  unquestioned, 
and  although  it  Is  now  certain  that  very  large  yields  may  be  reaped 


. '.  w .- Ji*fci!a..j  -!«*«».■ 


is»,r-  itffT'.^  »'^  j 


1 02      Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Foraj^e  and  Fodder  Plants. 


i  ■;! 


\< 


1 


{ft 


pei'  acre,  there  Is  still  much  to  be  learned  regarJlnj;  the  best  modes  of 
harvesting  the  crop  and  also  of  feeding  It. 

Harvesting  Hay.— The  loss  arising  from  the  unseasonable  and 
Improper  harvesting  of  hay  is  In  the  a^'gregate  very  great.  And  this 
loss  Is  even  greater  possibly  in  the  Northwest  than  In  some  other  por- 
tions of  the  U  ted  States;  for  the  reason,  first,  that  In  many  sections 
the  wild  hay  crop  is  SiiU  very  abundant,  and  second,  the  fine  weather 
which  prevails  under  normal  conditions  In  the  hay-making  season,  has 
a  tendency  to  foster  carelessness  In  the  curing  and  handling  of  the  hay. 

The  best  time  to  harvest  hay  will  depend  on  the  nature  and  kinds 
of  the  grasses  of  which  it  Is  composed,  on  the  state  of  the  weather,  and 
on  th«  use  for  which  It  Is  Intended.  With  regard  to  the  proper  time 
at  which  grasses  and  clovers  should  be  cut.  It  would  be  impossible  to 
give  a  general  rule  that  would  apply  equally  to  alt  the  varieties.  Some 
kinds  ought  to  reach  a  more  advanced  stage  than  others  before  they  are 
cut,  and  for  certain  uses  the  same  varieties  need  to  be  cut  at  different 
periods  oi  maturity.  The  best  general  rule  to  follow  Is  to  mow  the  hay 
when  the  prevailing  grasses  of  which  It  Is  composed  are  In  full  bloom. 
There  may  be  good  reasons  why  cutting  the  grass  should  be  deferred 
until  a  period  somewhat  too  advanced  for  making  It  Into  hay  of  the 
best  quality,  for  over-ripe  hay  well  cured  is  certainly  more  valuable 
than  hay  cut  at  the  proper  season  anH  then  spoiled  or  partially  spoiled 
because  of  adverse  weather  while  being  cured.  Nevertheless  the  aim 
should  be  at  all  times  to  secure  to  the  greatest  possible  extent  the  high- 
est feeding  value  in  the  hay. 

The  advantages  which  result  from  cutting  hay  at  an  early  rather 
than  a  late  stage  of  growth  Include  the  following:— First,  the  differ- 
ence in  the  avidity  with  which  live  stock  eat  hay  cut  at  the  proper 
stage,  and  the  same  variety  left  uncut  until  It  becomes  woody,  is  simi- 
lar to  the  difference  between  eating  with  a  keen  relish  and  eating  be- 
cause compelled  to  by  hunger.  Second,  when  grass  is  thus  harvested 
and  fed  to  milch  cows  It  furnishes  milk  more  freely  than  if  It  were  ripe'. 
And  here  a  question  of  much  Importance  arises,  not  simply  because  of 
the  bearing  It  has  upon  the  profits  of  the  dairy,  but  because  of  the  in- 
timate bearing  which  It  has  upon  the  development  of  all  kinds  of 
young  stock.  Third,  It  prepares  clover  for  being  fed  to  horses,  not 
only  without  Injury  but  with  great  advantage.  It  Is  when  clover  has 
been  cut  over-ripe  or  has  been  Imperfectly  cured  that  It  becomes  trans- 


■•|l 


Foddrr  Plants. 


;  the  best  modes  of 

e  unseasonable  and 
ry  great.  And  this 
1  In  some  other  por- 
at  In  many  sections 
id,  the  fine  weather 
•making  season,  has 
handling  of  the  hay. 
le  nature  and  kinds 
!  of  the  weather,  and 
I  to  the  proper  time 
lid  be  Impossible  to 
the  varieties.  Some 
others  before  they  are 
J  be  cut  at  different 
)w  Is  to  mow  the  hay 
;d  are  in  full  bloom. 
;  should  be  deferred 
^  it  Into  hay  of  the 
ainly  more  valuable 
I  or  partially  spoiled 
'Nevertheless  the  aim 
sible  extent  the  high- 

y  at  an  early  rather 
ig:— First,  the  dlffer- 
ly  cut  at  the  proper 
imes  woody.  Is  slmi- 
elish  and  eating  be- 
iss  Is  thus  harvested 
y  than  if  it  were  ripe. 
)t  simply  because  of 
t  because  of  the  in- 
Tient  of  all  kinds  of 
H;  fed  to  horses,  not 
is  when  clover  has 
lat  it  becomes  trans- 


-mA. 


Fodder  Crofm. 


103 


formed  Into  a  ration  which  Is  hurtful  to  the  horse.  Fourth,  there  Is  no 
loss  from  the  shedding  of  leaves  or  seeds  or  from  the  heads  break- 
ing off.  Strip  clover  and  lucerne  of  the  leaves  and  heads,  and 
they  are  shorn  of  their  great  strength.  Fifth,  with  some  varieties  of 
clover  it  enables  an  extra  cutting  to  be  obtained.  For  some  kinds  of 
feeding  the  second  crop  of  clover  for  the  season  is  nearly  as  valuable 
as  the  first.  A  delay  of  one  week  in  the  cutting  of  the  first  crop  may. 
In  some  seasons,  make  the  difference  between  success  and  failure  in 
the  second  crop.  And  these  remarks  apply  equally  when  the  second 
crop  Is  allowed  to  mature  seed.  Sixth,  it  gives  opportunity  for  an  in- 
creased growth  of  the  aftermath.  A  strong  aftermath  Is  valuable 
whether  to  furnish  food,  to  mulch  the  ground  as  a  protection  against 
drought,  or  to  shield  the  roots  of  the  grass  from  the  frosts  of  winter. 

The  object  In  curing  hay  should  be  to  prevent  exposure  to  dew  and 
rain,  and  also  to  shield  It  from  the  unnecessary  injury  which  follows 
when  left  lyin^?  too  long  beneath  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun.  Rain 
falling  upon  hay  while  It  is  being  made  discolors  it,  and  the  extent  of 
the  discoloration  is  in  proportion  to  the  advancement  of  the  stage  of 
curing.  Rain  also  washes  out  a  part  of  the  starch  and  other  soluble 
matters,  including  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  ash  ingredients,  so 
that  it  Is  rendered  Intrinsically  less  valuable  for  feeding  purposes,  apart 
from  the  loss  of  palatability  occasioned  by  the  absence  of  the  aroma 
when  hay  is  wet  during  the  process  of  curing.  Dews  and  fogs  act  sim- 
ilarly, but  less  In  degree.  Undue  exposure  to  sunlight  fades  the  hay 
and  causes  many  of  the  leaves  to  become  so  crisp  that  they  break  off 
There  is  probably  greater  loss  from  allowing  hay  to  become  overdry 
through  undue  exposure  to  sunlight  than  from  the  combined  influences 
of  rain,  dew  and  fog. 

Whether  hay  should  be  cured  In  the  cock  or  coil,  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  depends  upon  the  grasses  which  compose  it,  the  degree 
of  the  ripeness  of  these  grasses  and  the  state  of  the  weather.  The  va- 
rious kinds  of  clover,  when  grown  alone  and  cut  in  early  bloom,  can- 
not properly  be  cured  with  ease  without  having  first  been  put  up  Into 
those  coils,  or,  as  they  may  be  termed,  miniature  stacks.  But  for  har- 
vesting in  dry  weather  clover  can  be  cured  In  winrows,  and  this  can 
be  done  more  particularly  in  the  climate  of  the  Northwest,  which  is 
proverbial  for  Its  excellent  harvest  weather.  The  grasses  prope.  can 
be  readily  cured  In  good  weather  without  putting  them  up  Into  coils. 


T 


^^'•^•^■■v.n''mimtttmi*mamtm«»Kamau.TeimKm»^-ssiii»^* 


104      Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  ami  Fodder  Plants, 


.  :1 


V* 


Numerous  methods  of  makinR  hay  have  been  adopted.  In  fact 
variation  In  method  Is  an  absolute  necessity  to  suit  varying  conditions. 
Of  these  the  followlnR  are  the  chief:  First,  mow  the  hay  In  the  morn- 
ing, run  ihe  tedder  over  it  near  mid-day,  ral<e  into  winrows  before  the 
dew  fails,  and  store  It  away  the  next  day.  This  method  will  answer 
for  several  varieties  of  grass,  but  not  equally  well  for  varieties  of  clover. 
Second,  mow  In  the  morning,  use  the  tedder  on  the  mown  hay  once  or 
twice,  rake  and  house  the  same  evening.  This  method  is  adapted  to 
the  harvesting  of  grass  cut  when  ratiier  beyond  the  proper  stage  of 
maturity,  and  more  especially  in  weather  which  is  not  to  be  relied 
upon.  Third,  mow  at  any  time,  use  the  tedderonce  or  more  frequently, 
rake  when  sufficiently  dry  and  cure  in  coils.  Hay  is  dry  enough  for 
being  raked  as  soon  as  the  labor  of  raking  can  be  done  without  diffi- 
culty. This  method  is  particularly  suited  to  the  harvesting  of  clover. 
In  some  instances  clover  cannot  be  cured  in  a  less  time  than  from  three 
to  six  days.  Before  the  colls  are  drawn  away  it  may  be  necessary  to 
open  them  out  for  an  hour  or  two  to  expose  them  to  the  influence  of  the 
sunlight.  The  tedder  is  of  great  service  in  curing  hay  where  the  crop 
is  good.  When  tossed  into  the  air  by  the  tedder  the  grass  falls  down 
loosely,  hence  the  wind,  an  admirable  agent  In  curing  hay,  has  a  good 
chance  to  blow  through  it.  The  hay  loader  Is  of  much  value  when  the 
hay  can  be  lifted  from  the  winrow.  The  hay  sweep  and  the  stacker 
also  fill  an  important  place,  more  especially  in  prairie  countries. 

The  advantages  arising  from  putting  hay  up  in  coils  Include  the 
following:  The  fine  natural  color  of  the  grass  is  in  a  great  measure 
preserved  and  the  aroma  as  well.  The  hurtful  influences  of  rain  and 
dew  are  either  prevented  In  whole  or  in  part.  These  influences  cannot 
be  wholly  prevented  unless  where  hay  caps  are  used  to  cover  the  coils. 
These  are  much  more  essential  in  the  east  than  in  the  west.  And  the 
hay  in  the  colls  undergoes  a  mild  fermentation,  which  lessens  the 
danger  from  over-fermentation  when  the  hay  Is  stored.  The  disadvan- 
tages from  placing  hay  in  colls  include,  first,  the  increased  cost  of  the 
labor,  and,  second,  the  impossibility  of  using  the  hay  loadei  when  the 
hay  Is  being  stored. 

When  hay  is  stored  at  the  proper  stage  It  undergoes  a  slight  fer- 
mentation. If  stored  too  soon,  that  is,  before  it  has  been  sufficiently 
cured,  the  fermentation  becomes  excessive  and  induces  mould,  which 
is  very  hurtful  to  live  stock.    When  there  are  just  apprehensions  that 


I  ! 
S. 


'^odihr  Plants, 

n  adopted.    In  fact 

varylnK  conditions, 
tie  hay  in  the  morn- 

winrows  before  the 
method  will  answer 
r  varieties  of  clover. 
:  mown  hay  once  or 
nethod  is  adapted  to 
the  proper  stage  of 

is  not  to  be  relied 
5  or  more  frequently, 
y  is  dry  enough  for 
I  done  without  diffi- 
arvesting  of  clover, 
ime  than  from  three 
may  be  ne-tessary  to 

the  Influence  of  the 
hay  where  the  crop 
he  grass  falls  down 
ng  hay,  has  a  good 
uch  value  when  the 
ep  and  the  stacker 
rie  countries, 
in  coils  include  the 

in  a  great  measure 
fluences  of  rain  and 
se  influences  cannot 
!d  to  cover  the  coils. 
1  the  west.    And  the 

which  lessens  the 
red.  The  disadvan- 
ncreased  cost  of  the 
lay  loader  when  the 

dergoes  a  slight  fer- 
las  been  sufficiently 
duc£s  mould,  which 
t  apprehensions  that 


Fodder  Crops. 


10$ 


mould  maybe  formed  to  some  extent,  the  sprinkling;  of  salt  over  the 
mass  as  each  successive  load  is  deposited  will  tend  to  obviate  the 
danger.  One  peck  of  salt  to  each  load  of  hay  is  a  liberal  quantity  to 
make  use  of.  If  hay  will  not  settle  down  upon  Itself  when  stored  it  is 
over-dry.  An  experienced  haymaker  can  easily  tell  when  hay  is  ready 
for  storing  by  the  way  in  which  it  handles  when  being  pitched  with 
the  fork,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  as  various  kinds 
of  hay  differ  much  in  weisht,  no  little  experience  is  required  to  make 
certain  by  this  method  that  hay  Is  ready  for  being  stored.  Another 
plan  Is  therefore  submitted  which  Is  simpler.  It  consists  In  taking  a 
small  quantity  of  the  hay  In  one  hand  and  twisting  It  around  a  number 
of  times  with  the  other.  If  no  Indications  of  moisture  appear  the  hay 
may  be  regarded  as  ready  for  storing.  But  if  the  hay  thus  twisted  is 
easily  broken  asunder,  it  is  then  over-dry. 

The  plan  of  cutting  hay  down  and  allowing  it  to  lie  where  it  fell, 
exposed  to  the  sunlight  until  faded  and  crisp,  cannot  be  too  severely 
condemned.  Hay  cut  in  this  fashion  is  little  better  than  good  straw, 
even  though  super-excellent  in  quality  when  It  was  cut. 


'mm 


106     Grasses,  Cloiiers,  Field  Roots,  Forai^e  and  Fodder  Plants. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


FIELD  ROOTS. 


Field  roots  furnish  an  admirable  food  adjunct  for  all  kinds  of  live 
•stock,  more  especially  In  the  winter  season.  Their  relative  feeding 
value  is  certainly  greater  than  is  shown  by  chemical  analysis.  The 
explanation  will  be  found  probably  in  the  influence  which  they  exer- 
cise on  digestion  when  fed  as  a  part  of  a  ration.  For  maintaining  ani- 
mals in  a  condition  of  thrift  they  are  thought  to  be  superior  to  corn  en- 
silage. With  a  goodly  supply  of  field  roots  and  good  straw,  store 
animals  may  be  wintered  cheaply  and  in  fine  form.  They  are  greatly 
helpful  In  promoting  muscular  development,  and  they  furnish  a  sate 
food  adjunct  for  live  stock  which  are  being  fattened,  more  especially 
cattle  and  sheep. 

The  free  growing  of  field  roots  wHI  be  found  very  helpful  in  securing 
a  clean  condition  of  the  land  and  also  in  maintaining  the  same.  The 
aim  should  be  therefore  to  grow  them  on  foul  rather  than  on  clean  soils. 
When  well  cared  for  these  crops  will  secure  to  the  land  all  the  advan- 
tages of  the  bare  fallow.  Generally  speaking  therefore  they  should 
come  after  some  cereal  crop,  such  as  oats  or  wheat,  and  should  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  crop  of  grain  with  grass  seeds  sown  upon  it. 

It  Is  somewhat  surprising  that  in  a  country  so  admirably  adapted 
to  growing  field  roots,  more  especially  mangels,  sugar  beets  and  carrots, 
so  little  attention  relatively  has  been  paid  to  it.  The  argument  which 
claims  that  the  relative  feeding  value  per  acre  of  corn  and  roots  respec- 
tively, as  given  by  chemical  analysis,  is  in  favor  of  corn,  is  not  a  sufTr 
clent  explanation,  for  the  chemist  has  never  yet  been  able  to  give  us 
the  whole  feeding  value  of  field  roots,  any  more  than  he  has  been  able 
to  give  us  the  whole  feeding  value  of  oil  cake. 

The  lack  of  facilities  for  winter  storage  has  undoubtedly  stood  in 
the  way.  But,  as  winter  fattening  of  live  stock  comes  to  be  more  prac- 
ticed,  room  for  storing  roots  may  be  provided  in  the  basement  of  the 


Fodder  Plants, 


for  all  kinds  of  live 
lieir  relative  feeding 
ileal  analysis.  Tlie 
ice  which  they  exer- 
For  maintaining  ani- 
!  superior  to  corn  en- 
id  good  straw,  store 
I.  They  are  greatly 
they  furnish  a  sate 
ned,  more  especially 

!ry  helpful  In  securing 
ing  the  same.  The 
er  than  on  clean  soils, 
land  all  the  advan- 
lerefore  they  should 
,  and  should  be  fol- 
>on  it. 

}  admirably  adapted 
igar  beets  and  carrots, 
'he  argument  which 
)rn  and  roots  respec- 
if  corn,  Is  not  a  sufTr 
}een  able  to  give  us 
lan  he  has  been  able 

indoubtedly  stood  in 
imes  to  be  more  prac- 
the  basement  of  the 


Field  Roots. 


107 


buildings  erected  to  shelter  the  stoci<.  Where  the  temperature  gets 
low,  and  when  the  roots  are  protected  simply  by  a  stone  wail  laid  In 
mortar,  provision  should  be  made  for  an  air  space  between  the  roots 
and  the  wall.  When  the  wail  of  one  side  of  the  basement  Is  built 
against  a  bank  of  earth,  the  roots  may  be  stored  in  an  excavation  made 
in  the  bank,  but  not  far  distant  from  the  place  where  they  are  to  be  fed. 
They  may  also  be  stored  by  digging  an  oblong  trench  In  the  ground! 
where  the  natural  drainage  is  good,  and  piling  the  roots  In  the  same  so 
as  to  rise  above  the  surface  of  the  ground  like  the  ridge  of  the  roof. 
They  are  then  covered  plentifully  with  straw.  A  light  covering  of 
earth  is  put  on  at  first,  more  Is  added  later  when  the  weather  becomes 
colder,  and  still  later  fresh  manure  Is  put  over  the  earth.  The  chief 
objections  to  this  mode  of  storage  arise  from  the  additional  labor  in 
handling  which  it  necessitates  and  the  difficulty  In  using  the  roots  In 
cold  weather. 

Mangel*.— Mangels  furnish  an  excellent  food  for  nearly  all  kinds 
of  live  stock,  such  as  cattle,  sheep,  swine  and  fowls,  but  they  are  es- 
pecially valued  as  a  food  for  milch  cows,  as  they  may  be  freely  fed  to 
them  without  the  danger  of  giving  a  taint  to  the  milk. 

Mangels  are  of  several  varieties.  These  are  distinguished  by  their 
color,  as  red,  orange  and  yellow,  and  by  their  shape,  as  oblong  and 
globular,  and  by  variations  intermediate  between  these.  They  are 
usually  referred  to  as  being  of  the  long.  Intermediate  or  globe  varieties. 
The  former  generally  give  the  largest  yields,  but  the  latter  as  a  rule 
are  of  a  higher  feeding  value. 

The  principal  varieties  of  mangels  grown  in  the  Northwest  are  the 
Mammoth  Long  Red  and  the  Golden  Tankard.  The  former  yields 
heavily.  The  latter,  an  Intermediate  variety,  will  probably  equal  the 
former  In  weight  of  produce,  and  in  quality  It  Is  superior.  It  is  tankard 
in  shape,  the  outer  flesh  Is  of  a  beautiful  yellow  color  and  It  Is  remark- 
ably clean  and  smooth.  When  cut  open  It  shows  alternate  yellow  and 
white  rings.  The  Mammoth  Golden  Giant,  also  an  Intermediate  vari- 
ety,  is  of  great  promise.  It  is  larger  In  size  than  any  of  the  other  yel. 
low  mangels,  and  Is  easily  lifted  from  the  ground.  The  red  and  yellow 
globe  shaped  varieties  are  also  sold  In  considerable  quantities. 

They  !»re  admirably  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climatic  conditions  of 
large  i?reas  in  the  Northwest.  They  will  grow  luxuriantly  on  all  deep 
soils  ri:  I  -  rrganic  matter.    Clay  loams,  strong  sandy  loams  and  dark 


.1 

I 


108      Grasxcs,  Cfoi'crs,  FiMRttts,  Forat^e  and  Fodder  Plants. 


ii! 


'I 


«!l 


■  4 


I 


prairie  soils  are  specially  adapted  to  the  growth  of  mangels,  wiillc  stiff 
clays  and  light  sands  have  less  of  adaptability. 


in  preparing 
the  soli  for  man- 
gels  it  should  be 
ploughed  deeply 
in  the  autumn 
and  as  early  as 
possible  after 
harvest.  In  damp 
seasons  it  should 
then  be  harrow- 
ed occasionally 
until  the  advent 
of  winter,  to  get 
the  weed  seeds 
out  of  the  upper 
section  of  the  soil 
so  far  as  this 
may  be  practica- 
ble. In  dry  sea- 
allow  It  to  remain 


OoiiDEN  Tankard  Manoku 


sons  the  use  of 
the  harrow 
would  not  ac- 
complish the  de- 
sired end.  In  the 
Northwest.when 
farm  yard  ma- 
nure isapplled.it 
should  be  spread 
upon  the  land 
before  it  has 
l>een  plowed,  but 
in  the  east  it 
will  probably  be 
found  safer  to 
spread  the  ma- 
nure on  the  sur- 
face of  light,  por- 
ous soilSi  and  to 


there  undisturbed  until  the  winter  Is  past.    In  the 


FoiUfr  Plants. 
mangels,  wliile  stiff 


sons  the  use  of 
the  harrow 
would  not  ac- 
complish the  de- 
sired end.  In  the 
Northwest.when 
farm  yard  ma- 
nure Is  applied, it 
should  be  spread 
upon  the  land 
before  It  has 
been  plowed,  but 
In  the  east  it 
will  probably  be 
found  safer  to 
spread  the  ma- 
nure on  the  sur- 
face of  light,  por- 
ous soilSt  and  to 
Inter  Is  past.    In  the 


sprlriK  the  K<'ound  thus  plowed  tiie  previous  season  will  only  require 
surface  cultivation  until  tlie  mauKels  are  sown.  When  mangels  are 
sown  late  In  tiie  season  the  manure  may  be  spread  over  the  Kround  in 
the  winter  and  then  turned  under  in  the  spring,  but  the  labor  of  clean- 
ing the  crop  will  be  much  greater  than  when  they  are  grown  by  the 
former  method.  Where  artificial  fertilizers  are  wanted,  salt  and  su- 
perphosphate may  be  used,  at  the  rate  per  acre  of  200  pounds  and 
upwards  of  the  former,  and  100  pounds  and  upwards  of  the  latter. 

In  the  east  it  has  been  found  advantageous  to  grow  mangels  and 
other  field  roots  in  raised  drills  formed  by  using  a  double  moid-board 
plow  with  a  mari<er  attached  to  it.  A  greater  depth  of  soil  Is  'hus  se- 
cured, and  the  labor  of  keeping  the  crop  clean  is  also  facilitated.  But 
In  the  deeper  and  less  n.oist  soils  of  the  west  and  Northwest  It  will 
probably  be  found  more  advr.ntageous  to  sow  them  In  rows  on  the  level. 

When  the  seed  is  sown  In  raised  drills  a  machine  is  used,  made  for 
the  purpose,  which  is  drawn  by  one  horse.  It  sows  two  drills  at  a 
time.  A  light  roller  is  attached  which  presses  the  soil  upon  the  seeds 
and  so  lessens  surface  evaporation.  A  machine  adapted  to  the  quick 
sowing  of  ail  kinds  of  field  roots  In  rows  and  on  the  level  is  an  Inven- 
tion much  needed.  Some  grain  drills  may  even  now  be  thus  used,  but 
they  are  not  as  yet  all  that  is  required  for  sowing  field  roots  in  the  very 
best  manner.  After  the  ground  has  been  first  marked  off,  some  kind 
of  hand  machine  is  more  commonly  used  at  present,  but  as  these  ma- 
chines only  sow  one  r.,w  at  a  time,  too  much  time  Is  occupied  when 
they  are  used  for  sowing  large  areas. 

When  mangels  are  sown  In  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the  ground  Is 
dry  enough  to  allow  the  work  to  be  done  In  good  form,  they  generally 
grow  to  a  much  larger  size  than  when  sown  later.  But  when  safe 
germination  can  be  ensured,  good  crops  can  frequently  be  obtained  In 
the  Northwestern  states  from  seed  sown  as  late  as  the  beginning  of 
June  or  even  later.  But  It  should  always  be  the  aim  to  sow  the  seed 
early  rather  than  late.  In  some  seasons  mangels  may  be  sown  so 
early  as  to  be  injured  by  frost,  but  such  Instances  are  exceptional. 

From  four  to  six  pounds  may  be  named  as  the  average  quantity  of 
seed  to  sow,  but  sometimes,  as  when  the  seed  bed  is  cloddy  or  dry.  It 
may  be  prudent  to  sow  a  larger  quantity.  If  the  seed  Is  soaked  from 
twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours  before  sowing,  and  Is  then  dried  quick- 
ly by  the  aki  of  ashes,  sand  or  powdered  charcoal  and  sunshine,  It  will 


T 


1 10     drutun,  Chvtn,  I  itU  Rooti,  Foragt  mmi FodiUr  Httnh, 


ill  I 


^1" 


\h\ 


germinate  more  quickly.  Rut  whi!n  the  KCounJ  Ih  lacklriK  In  inolMlure 
luch  a  course  would  be  ha/.urJoii.s. 

The  Ulstance  between  the  rows  In  a  crop  o'f  manKclii,  and  also  be- 
tween the  plants  In  the  line  of  the  rows  will  vary  with  the  condition 
of  the  variety,  the  condition  of  the  land,  and  the  time  of  sowing. 
The  larger  the  variety,  the  richer  the  land,  and  the  earlier  the  scud 
time,  the  wider  apart  should  be  the  rows  and  also  the  plants  In  the  row, 
and  vice  vena.  The  distance  between  the  rows  varies  all  the  way 
from  twenty  to  thirty-two  Inches.  From  twenty-six  to  twenty-eight 
Inches  is  a  favorite  distance. 

The  cultivation  should  commence  soon  after  the  plants  have  got 
well  above  the  surface  of  the  ground.  At  first  It  may  be  deep,  and 
should  come  as  near  as  possible  to  tiie  plants,  but  not  so  near  as  to 
dif.turb  them.  As  the  season  advances  the  cultivation  should  be  shal- 
lower and  more  distant  from  the  plants.  It  should  also  be  frequent 
md  should  be  continued  until  the  leaves  of  the  mangels  extend  so  fur 
laterally  that  further  cultivation  would  break  some  of  them  off.  It 
must  then  cease. 

The  thinning  of  the  crop  should  commence  soon  after  the  mangels 
have  reached  the  rough  leaf  stage  of  growth,  that  Is  to  say  when 
they  are  but  little  more  than  two  or  three  Inches  high.  And  It  Is 
highly  Important  that  the  work  should  be  ail  done  within  a  short 
period,  or  the  labor  of  thinning  will  be  greatly  Increased,  and  the 
growth  of  the  plants  not  yet  thinned  will  be  much  hindered.  When 
the  season  is  not  far  advanced,  and  when  there  is  also  a  prospect  of 
an  abundant  growth,  the  plants  may  be  thinned  to  a  distance  of  fifteen 
Inches,  and  In  exceptional  instances  to  even  a  greater  distance.  Under 
some  conditions  they  need  not  be  thinned  to  a  greater  distance  than 
four  inches.  From  ten  to  twelve  Inches  may  be  mentioned  as  an 
average  distance.  Much  of  the  w<)rk  of  thinning  Is  done  by  the  aid  of 
the  hoe,  but  some  hand  work  is  required,  and  the  workman  should 
stir  all  the  soli  unbroken  by  the  cultivator  to  prevent  the  rapid  growth 
of  weeds,  and  to  hinder  the  escape  of  ground  moisture.  A  second  thin- 
ning is  necessary  a  few  weeks  later  to  remove  all  plants  which  may 
be  growing  In  clusters,  save  one  In  each,  and  to  remove  weeds  found 
in  the  line  of  the  row.  In  thinning  ail  kinds  of  roots  the  aim  should 
be  to  leave  the  strongest  plants.  It  Is  simply  folly  to  allow  any  weeds 
to  ripen  in  a  root  crop.     When  it  is  thus  managed  the  land  Is  In  a 


IdckltiK  III  iiiul!tture 

uiiKcIs,  aiiJ  also  be- 
'  with  the  condition 
the  time  of  sowing. 
the  earlier  the  sccJ 
the  pL-intslntherow, 
I  varies  all  the  way 
-six  to  twenty-eiitht 

the  plants  have  (;at 
t  may  be  deep,  and 
jt  nui  so  near  as  to 
tion  should  be  sh.il- 
iild  also  be  frequent 
iiiKeis  extend  so  far 
nc  of  them  off.     It 

9n  after  the  mangels 
that  is  to  say  when 
es  hl|rh.  And  it  Is 
lone  within  a  short 

Increased,  and  the 
h  hindered.  When 
s  also  a  prospect  of 

a  distance  of  fifteen 
ter distance.  Under 
reater  distance  than 
be  mentioned  as  an 
i  done  by  the  aid  of 
^e  workman  should 
nt  the  rapid  growth 
ture.  A  second  thin- 
I  plants  which  may 
emove  weeds  found 
oots  the  aim  should 
to  allow  any  weeds 
«d  the  land  Is  in  a 


Fiflil  RiHth. 


Ill 


splendid  condition  for  growing  a  grain  crop,  and  without  any  further 
plowing. 

Mangels  are  ready  for  harvesting  when  the  leaves  cease  to  make 
further  growth  and  when  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  lower  ones 
fade  and  become  crisp  and  dry  or  fall  off.  But  they  should  In  any  case 
be  harvested  before  the  frosts  become  severe  enough  to  stiffen  any 
part  of  the  soil,  or  they  will  harm  that  portion  of  the  mangels  above 
ground,  to  the  extent  of  injuring  their  keeping  qualities.  They  arc 
commonly  pulled  by  hand  and  laid  In  heaps  conveniently  distant. 
Each  heap  has  two  rows.  The  mangels  In  th^se  heaps  are  laid  in  reg 
ular  order,  tops  outward,  for  convenience  In  handling  when  removing 
the  tops.  These  heaps  contain  the  mangels  from  an  even  number  of 
rows,  as  four,  six  or  eight.  If  they  should  pull  hard,  a  plow  furrow 
turned  away  from  one  side  of  the  row  will  overcome  the  difficulty. 
The  tops  may  be  removed  by  the  use  of  a  heavy  knife  with  a  long 
blade,  or  by  simply  wringing  them  off  with  the  hands.  The  latter 
mode  Is  preferable  when  It  can  be  done,  since  it  dees  not  Injure  the 
keeping  qualities  of  the  mangels.  They  are  thrown  In  heaps  In  which 
they  are  allowed  to  remain  for  a  few  days,  as,  If  drawn  at  once  to  the 
place  of  storage  the  fermentation  would  be  considerable,  enough  prob- 
ably, when  stored  In  large  quantities,  to  Injure  to  some  extent  the  keep- 
ing qualities  of  the  roots.  While  they  remain  in  the  field  they  should 
be  carefully  covered  with  the  tops  to  protect  them  from  the  frosts,  and  to 
preserve  what  maybe  termed  a  freshness  of  bloom  In  their  appearance. 

Although  mangels  may  be  fed  to  live  stock  at  any  time  after  they 
have  been  harvested,  and  even  before  that  period,  their  feeding  value 
Increases  for  some  time  after  they  have  been  removed  from  the  earth, 
owing  to  certain  chemical  changes  which  go  on  for  a  time  within  the 
substance  of  which  the  roots  are  composed. 

Sugar  Beeta.— Sugar  beets  make  an  excellent  food  for  live  stock. 
Owing  to  the  higher  percentage  of  su^jar  which  they  contain,  they 
make  a  better  food  for  animals  that  are  being  fattened  »han  other  kinds 
of  field  roots.  They  would  be  more  In  favor  as  a  food  for  live  stock 
were  it  not  that  they  require  more  labor  to  grow  them,  acre  for  acre, 
than  either  mangel-*  or  turnips,  owing  to  the  smaller  size  relatively  of 
the  roots  and  the  greater  number  of  rootlets  on  the  same.  These  pecu- 
liarities of  growth  Increase  the  labor  of  thinning,  of  harvesting  and  of 
storing. 


m 


1 1 3      O'ranuf,  CVotyM,  Fir/,/  RdHh  i'tfUtgit  MM#/M*r  /MnV*. 


I 


i; 

ft   L' 


Whrn  nuKiir  hrcH  sue  Krnwn  ait  it  fiioj  for  live  Htock,  preference  l« 
Riven  to  the  l.ir^or  v.irletle*.  When  tlu-y  are  nf^^vn  to  (urnbh  sii^.tr 
tor  hou!icliold  U!ic<i,  those  varletl('<i  are  chosen  wliiih  are  rkh  In  suc;ir 
proJucliiK  qualities.  Wh<-n  grown  tor  the  former  use,  tiie  nioJe  of  pro< 
ductlon  Is  essentially  the  s;imo  as  In  growing  mangels,  with  the  differ- 
enct  tlut  the  beets  are  grown  mure  closely  together  than  the  mangels. 
With  tlie  exception  Instanced,  therefore,  all  that  has  been  prevloinly 
said  with  reference  to  (';rowing  mangels  will  apply  equally  to  the  grow- 
ing of  sugar  beets  for  the  purpone  indicated.  The  soils  even  that  are 
suitable  for  one  will  in  the  main  be  found  suitable  for  the  other.  It 
will,  therefore,  only  be  further  necessary  to  name  the  varieties  which 
stand  highest  In  favor  with  the  growers.  These  are  the  Champion 
Sugar  Beet  and  the  White  Siieslan.  The  flrnt  mentioned  Is  an  Im- 
proved variety  from  France  and  affords  a  high  percentage  of  jugar. 
Because  of  its  productiveness  and  high  sugar-making  qualities,  It  will 
answer  well  to  be  grown  for  stock  feeding  or  the  sugar  factory.  When 
grown  to  furnish  sugar,  some  important  variations  arise  In  soil  conJi- 
tlons  and  In  the  treatment  of  the  soil  and  the  crop.  These  variations 
wilt  now  be  noticed.  But  before  treating  of  them  it  may  be  mentioned, 
first,  that  the  varieties  which  stand  highest  in  favor  for  sugar  produc- 
tion Include,  in  addition  to  those  named  above.  Lane's  Imperial  and 
Vilmorin's  Improved.  These  are  standard  sorts,  the  excellence  of 
which  has  been  well  proved;  and,  second,  what  will  now  be  said  with 
reference  to  sugar  beets  will  apply  only  to  growing  them  for  the  pro- 
duction of  sugar. 

Sugar  beets  may  be  successfully  grown  on  loams,  mild  sands  or 
clays,  alluvial  soils  and  dark  soils  of  the  prairie,  providing  they  are 
fairly  rich  and  are  underlaid  with  sub-soils  only  moderately  porous. 
Mild,  moist,  sandy  loams  are  the  most  suitable,  more  especially  when 
organic  matters,  clay  and  silica  are  suitably  blended  In  them.  Stiff 
clays,  leechy  sands  and  virgin  soils  are  the  least  suitable,  more  es- 
pecially when  the  latter  are  rich  in  organic  matter  or  contain  alkaline 
salts  In  any  considerable  degree.  Any  soil  that  will  produce  a  good 
crop  of  corn,  wheat  or  potatoes  should,  with  suitable  cultivation,  be 
made  to  produce  a  good  crop  of  sugar  beets. 

(Generally  speaking  the  mode  of  preparing  the  soil  for  mangels  will 
be  the  mods  to  follow  when  preparing  It  for  sugar  beets.  Tiic  varia- 
tions relate  rather  to  fertilizers  than  to  tillage.    Sometimes  barnyard 


1.^ 


v^MHW'/wffAt 


/M/  ittth. 


liJ 


Ive  ittiKk,  preference  Is 
rown  to  (urnl<th  aiiK.ir 
'hUi  are  rUh  In  suu^r 
r  uie,  the  ntojc  o(  pro- 
iMKcIn,  with  the  differ- 
ler  than  the  mangel*. 
t  h:is  been  previously 
y  equally  to  the  grow- 
1e  tolls  even  that  are 
able  for  the  other.  It 
ne  the  varieties  which 
He  are  the  Champion 
t  mentluncj  Is  an  Int- 
\\  percentage  of  Ju^ar. 
akliiK  qualities,  It  will 
suK-ir  factory.  When 
us  arise  in  soil  con<JI- 
rop.  These  variations 
I  It  may  be  mentioned, 
ivor  for  suijar  projuc- 
>,  Lanu's  Imperial  and 
ts,  the  excellence  of 
will  now  be  said  with 
Mng  them  for  the  pro- 
loams,  mild  sands  or 
le,  provldlnif  they  are 
ly  moderately  porous, 
more  especially  when 
ended  In  them.  Stiff 
:ist  suitable,  more  es- 
ter or  contain  alkaline 
t  will  produce  a  good 
jitable  cultivation,  be 

esoll  for  manReiswIII 

;ar  beets.    The  varla- 

Sometimes  barnyard 


manurtt  are  applied  alone.  Sometimes,  and  more  especially  in  the 
cast,  only  artlflcLii  fcrtlli/frs  are  used,  and  tometlinrs  both  are  uMd  In 
conjuiutlon.  Manure  from  hortes  Is  good,  that  from  cattle  Is  medium, 
but  maiuire  from  sheep  U  not  frioJ.  When  farm-yard  manure  In  used 
it  should  be  well  fermented  a;id  should  ba  applied  in  the  autumn  pre' 
viousiy.  It  would  b«  safer  even  to  use  the  nuiuite  with  the  previous 
crop.  For  instance,  when  barley  precedes  the  beet  crop  the  manure 
should    be    ap-  ^^-JL-^'S^Hh^'lyJ^         potuih    because 

plledbeforest)W-  ^gsaptSSgMiBgMHlifcl^  ">  the  influence 
hiK  the  barley.  ^SSSES^^SUtm^^  ^^'^^  t^'V  **' 
it  then  hastlme         '-•^    ^SKK^S^  *'*   upon    the 

to  become  well  ^i^^^D^^Bi^^  quality  of  the 
mixed  witii  the  *li|^A^  ^Hh  ^**^*'  ''''""P'^"' 
soil  and  is  lest  ^^Bm     H^a^^         ''*"  ■'^''^  """y  ^ 

liable  to  produce  a  rank  H^k  Inconveniently  applied  as  su- 
growth  of  the  beets,  which  V^^  Wperphosphate  or  basic  slag, 
would  result  in  a  decreased  Wk  WW  ""^  *<  tl)«  rote  of  one  hun- 
percentage  of  sugar  in  the  ^^  7  W  ^^'c*^  Pounds  and  upwards  per 
crop.  Artificial  fertillzcis are  ^L  j|r  acre.  P<)tash  may  be  conven- 
applled  In  the  form  of  nitro-  jW} g  lently  applied  In  the  form  of 
gen,  phosphoric  acid  and  pot-  jWf  Kainlte  and  in  similar  quan- 
ash,  and  sometimes,  but  less  'M§  titles, 
frequently,  as  magnesia  and      1 1  The  seed  should  be  sown 

lime.  While  it  Is  Important  li\  as  soon  as  the  ground  Is  dry 
that  there  should  be  enough  Iv  in  the  spring,  but,  at  with 
of  .iltrogen  in  the  soli  to  pro-  Q  '  mangels,  it  would  be  possl- 
duce  a  maximum  crop,  it  is      ^  ble.  In  exceptional  instances, 

even  more  important  that  „  „  _  <,  oo.'.  to  sow  It  so  early  that  the 
there  should  be  a  plentiful  champion  young  plants  would  be  In- 
suppiyof  phosphoric  acid  and  ■"••"*"*•  Jured  by  the  frost.  It  would 
be  unwise  to  sow  the  seed  late  in  the  neason,  for,  even  though  a 
maximum  crop  in  weight  should  be  obtained,  there  would  not  be 
time  for  the  crop  to  ripen  properly,  hence  It  would  be  markedly  defl- 
dent  in  saccharine  properties. 

Where  sugar  beets  are  grown  on  a  large  scale,  as  for  sugar  factories 
the  seed  ts  sown  with  machines  made  for  the  purpose.  They  plant 
several  rows  at  a  time.  The  rows  are  on  the  level,  and  there  Is  no  need  for 
having  them  wider  apart  than  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  Inches.    Not  less 


f 

1 


I U      G^mti*!,  Vlmtrt^Hthl  RtH>h,  Farajc*  •"*>/  h'^Wr  fUmU. 


th«n  tlirht  p.Hind. ..»  ittd  srt  used  per  atrs.  and  !n  sMint  Imttsncn  •¥#« 
«  larger  quantity  It  town.  Th«  M««l  rtqulrtt  to  b«  covf  ><  I  to  «  JtpUi 
varying  from  ont-half  an  Inch  to  (our  or  flvt  tlmrt  thai  dlaUiKt.  nwlng 
to  a  dlffartni:*  In  aollt,  In  toll  conilillont  and  conjltlona  of  cl.  nata. 
And  th«  Mtne  l«  true  In  dr«fee  of  all  kind*  -if  lh«  i.  I«  of  llrld  nxita. 
Ai  a  rule  th«y  may  b«  mora  detply  burled  In  tl  .  v  ,  and  North weat 
than  In  lh«  •••tern  part  of  th«  continent,  and  alio  In  pralrla  and  sandy 
•oils  than  In  stiff  clays. 

Cultivation  with  the  horse  hoe,  or.  as  It  Is  more  commonly  termed, 
the  cultivator,  should  begin  as  soon  as  the  young  plants  distinctly 
mark  th«  tine  of  the  row.  As  with  maniieh  It  should  b<  di-fp  at  first 
•nd  shallower  and  narrower  as  the  season  advantr*.  and  stioiild  \^  as 
frequent  as  once  a  weel^  for  Irom  six  to  fight  weeki  from  the  time  that  It 
began.  If  It  were  to  be  continued  longer  the  beefs  would  be  encouroijed 
to  continue  to  grow,  hence  what  It  termed  saccharlflcatlon  or  sugar- 
forming  In  the  roots  would  be  hindered.  This  process  is  active  In  the 
later  stages  of  the  growth  of  the  root.  Slowdivelopment  and  com- 
pleted development  are  favorable  to  It,  hence  dry  and  moderately  warm 
weather  Is  desirable  during  what  may  be  termed  the  ripening  period  of 
th«  betta.  Particular  care  should  be  taken  during  the  cultivation  not 
to  Injure  the  beets  or  their  tops. 

The  thinning  may  begin  as  soon  as  the  plants  have  acquired  four 
leaves.  They  may  be  thinned  from  seven  to  ten  Inches  according  as 
the  rows  are  near  to  each  other  or  more  distant.  It  Is  Important  to  save 
strong  planU  at  the  risk  of  varying  the  distances  somewhat.  The 
hand  hoe  should  of  course  be  used  In  the  line  of  the  row  In  conjunction 
with  the  thinning,  and  the  aim  should  be  to  keep  the  whole  of  the  root 
covered  throughout  the  season,  as  any  portion  exposed  above  ground 
Is  practically  valueless  for  sugar-making  uses.  It  Is  not  desirable  to 
have  the  roots  weigh  mor  o  -  m  one  to  oneand-a-balf  pounds  each, 
h  nee  the  advantage  In  hnvinj-;  rlu  planted  dor  ly  -tnd  In  having  no 
blanks  so  far  as  this  mr  '    *>     >  ^     1, 

The  beets  are  ready  .u.  ./^.ing  harvested  as  soon  as  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  leaves  die,  while  tliose  which  remain  turn  to  a  yel- 
lowlsh-fereen  and  some  of  them  show  Indications  of  dr(K)rliiK.  Har- 
vesting  should  be  deferred  as  long  as  possible  without  unduly  hazard- 
ing them  to  Injury  from  frosts. 

When  grown  for  the  sugar  factory  they  are  first  loosened  by  an 


>«  covtit  I  loa  v)«piA 
>  that  dl«'<n<«,  owing 
nnJIIIon*  of  (!  naU. 
I  u-tvU  of  fWlJ  root*. 
w.».  and  Northwftt 
In  pralria  and  landy 

r«  commonly  termed, 
ing  plants  distinctly 
lould  be  deep  at  firat 
e»,  and  >h<iuld  h«  as 
I  from  the  time  that  It 
would  be  encouraKfld 
larlficatlon  or  suKar* 
xess  is  active  in  the 
^elopment  and  com- 
ind  moderately  warm 
ie  ripening  period  of 
K  the  cultivation  not 

have  acquired  four 
inches  according  as 
t  is  important  to  save 
ss  somewhat.  The 
le  row  In  con)unction 
Ihe  whole  of  the  root 
poMd  above  ground 

Is  not  desirable  to 
l-a-half  pounds  each, 
ly  ind  In  having  no 

)on  as  a  considerable 
eniain  turn  to  a  yel- 
s  of  drooriiiK.  Har- 
lout  unduly  hazard- 

first  loosened  by  an 


rUM  Nm»4i, 


US 


Implement  drawn  by  horsa  labor  which  run*  iind«fn«ath  them  and  so 
loosens  tiirm.  I  hry  are  then  ral^-d  by  hand  and  Ifjpped  with  a  ItrRt 
knife  whl.h  rtmovrs  the  portion  of  the  beet  to  whi.h  Ihe  stems  adheft, 
This  part  though  valuable  for  live  stoil<  is  of  no  value  for  making 
•iigar.  The  roots  are  thrown  Into  piles  and  tovered  with  the  tops  uniti 
Ihay  irt  drawn  nwny. 

Tht  siloing  or  pitting  is  usually  done  by  the  factory,  but  it  may 
also  b«  done  by  the  farmer  as  now  deurlbed.  An  oblong  trench  Is  dug 
In  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  from  one  to  two  feet.  A  spot  should  be 
chosen  where  Ihe  drainage  Is  good.  The  trenih  is  liirn  fiiied  with 
roots  and  Ihe  beets  are  then  stored  upward  above  the  levr'  of  the 
trench  In  Ihe  form  of  a  ridge  r.wf.  In  the  ridge  portion  of  the  heap 
the  heads  of  the  beets  are  turned  outward  to  prevent  the  soil  from  pen 
etrating  Into  the  mass  of  roots  when  it  is  put  over  them  They  are 
then  covered  iightiy  with  earth.  A  small  space  at  the  ridge  Is  left 
without  earth  upon  It  for  a  time,  to  secure  ventilation.  It  Is  covered  by 
two  boards  nailed  together  so  as  to  make  an  Inverted  V  to  keep  out 
the  rain.  No  straw  is  used  as  It  would  give  trouble  when  the  beets 
are  being  manufactured.  More  earth  Is  added  later  and  as  winter 
draws  near  a  covering  of  manure  Is  applied. 

Turnips.-  The  Swedish  varieties  of  turnips  are  more  commonly 
known  In  this  country  as  rutabagas.  The  term  turnips  has,  however, 
been  advisedly  chosen  to  introduce  this  crop,  as  It  Is  the  more  compre- 
hensive of  the  two.  Turnips  arc  of  two  classes,  viz:  those  of  Swedish 
origin,  commonly  called  Swedes,  and  Fail  turnips.  The  former  have 
flesh  of  firmer  texture  and  are  In  consequence  possessed  of  better  keep- 
ing  qualities.  They  may  be  known  by  the  color  of  the  top  of  the  bulb 
which  is  more  commonly  purple,  but  sometimes  green  or  purplish  green, 
and  by  the  leaves  which  are  of  a  darker  color  than  the  fall  varieties. 
The  latter  vary  much  In  the  comparative  strength  of  the  tops,  and  In 
the  size,  color,  shape  and  texture  of  the  bulbs. 

Turnips  furnish  an  excellent  food  for  live  stock,  more  especially  in 
•  hose  portk)ns  of  the  year  when  succulent  food  is  not  to  be  had.  When, 
however,  they  are  fed  freely  to  milch  cows,  and  more  especially  in  con- 
junction with  rich  foods,  they  give  an  unpleasant  odor  to  the  milk  and 
offensive  taint  to  the  butter.  Hut  those  evils  are  lessened  when  the 
turnip  portion  of  the  rition  Is  withheld  until  after  the  milk  has  been 
withdrawn  from  the  cow,  morning  and  evening.    Caution  should  also 


T 


Ki*mt^<mt'm,*^0,mm 


1 16      Grasses,  Clo7>ers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Plants. 


% 


»>  M 


be  exercised  in  feeding  turnips  to  pregnant  ewes  In  winter.  A'though 
opinions  differ  on  this  question,  it  is  probably  true,  that  while  a  llRht 
ration  as  one  or  two  pounds  per  day  may  prove  highly  beneficial  to  the 
class  of  stock  narned,  a  heavy  ration  would  be  harmful  to  the  well- 
being  of  the  lambs.  But  turnips,  like  all  the  other  classes  of  field  roots, 
are  most  excellent  for  producing  a  large  flow  of  milk,  and  like  these 
also  are  very  helpful  in  keeping  the  system  in  tone 

The  climates  best  adapted  to  turnips  are  those  of  a  moist  and  cool 
character.  They  do  not  so  well  withstand  the  heat  of  summer  as  other 
varieties  of  field  roots.  Usually  the  principal  growth  made  by  turnips 
is  in  the  autumn,  when  the  weather  Is  moist  and  cool.  Hot  winds  are 
seriously  hurtful  to  them.  While  turnips  grow  admirably  In  the  New 
England  states  and  moderately  -a  eil  in  the  northern  states  further  to 
the  west,  there  is  some  doubt  as  to  whether  equally  certain  results  may 
be  looked  for  from  this  crop  In  the  Northwestern  states.  This  doubt  Is 
strengthened  by  the  fact  that  the  weather  is  oftentimes  so  dry  at  the 
proper  season  for  sowing  turnips  that  germination  of  the  seed  cannot 
be  secured.  It  does  not  follow,  however,  that  excellent  crops  may  not 
be  raised  over  all  the  Northwest  y  i  suitable  soils  and  in  favorable  sea- 
sons. But  the  same  absolute  dependence  cannotbe  placed  in  the  turnip 
crop  as  In  mangels,  sugar  Hets  and  carrots.  Those  portions  of  the 
Northwest  which  get  the  largest  amount  of  rainfall  in  summer  will 
grow  the  best  crops  of  turnips. 

The  soils  best  suited  to  the  growth  of  turnips  are  those  of  a  free- 
working,  loamy  character.  They  should  be  deep,  free  from  stagnant 
water  and  susceptible  to  minute  division.  Turnip  soils,  therefore  re- 
quire a  fair  proportion  of  sand  in  them,  and  yet  not  so  much  as  will 
render  them  poor.  Good  crops  of  turnips  may  be  grown  on  stiff  clay 
soils,  in  favorable  seasons,  but  at  an  undue  expenditure  of  labor.  Muck 
soils  and  those  even  which  have  an  excess  of  vegetable  matter  are  not 
favorable  to  the  growth  of  turnips,  as  they  produce  an  excessive  growth 
In  the  tops,  with  a  corresponding  deficiency  of  growth  in  the  bulb  por- 
tion of  the  root. 

Turnips  are  distinguished  by  differences  in  their  habits  of  growth, 
as  for  Instance  variations  in  shape,  size  and  color.  Commonly  tuey 
are  in  shape  what  may  be  termed  a  globular  oblong,  and  this  Is  true 
more  particularly  of  the  Swedish  varieties.  Some  of  the  Fall  varieties 
are  of  a  peculiarly  flattish  shape.    They  are  further  distinguished  oy 


'•'odder  Plants. 

winter.  A'thouf^h 
that  while  a  light 
hly  beneficial  to  the 
armful  to  the  well- 
classes  of  field  roots. 
Ilk,  and  like  these 

of  a  moist  and  cool 
of  summer  as  other 
'th  made  by  turnips 
ool.  Hot  winds  are 
mirably  in  the  New 
;rn  states  further  to 
certain  results  may 
ates.  This  doubt  Is 
times  so  dry  at  the 
of  the  seed  cannot 
J  lent  crops  may  not 
id  in  favorable  sea- 
placed  in  the  turnip 
lose  portions  of  ths 
'all  In  summer  will 

are  those  of  a  free- 
free  from  stagnant 
soils,  therefore  re- 
not  so  much  as  will 
gtown  on  stiff  clay 
ture  of  labor.  Muck 
table  matter  are  not 
in  excessive  growth 
^th  in  the  bulb  por- 

ir  habits  of  growth, 
r.  Commonly  tiey 
ig,  and  this  is  true 
jf  the  Fall  varieties 
er  distinguished  oy 


Field  RootSf 


117 


earliness  and  lateness  in  maturing  and  also  by  their  chemical  compo- 
sition. The  number  of  varieties  is  now  very  great  and  it  is  continually 
Increaslni;. 


N.,  B.,  G.  Co. '8  PllIZE  WlNNKR  T-UTA  BAQA. 

In  the  Northwest  the  Swedish,  that  is  to  say,  the  rutabaga  varie- 
ties, are  at  present  by  far  the  most  popular,  and  In  all  probability  they 
will  remain  so.    Of  these  the  kinds  most  in  favor  are  the  Purple  Top, 


118      Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Foraf^e  and  Fodder  Plants. 


\ii. 


Yellow  Fleshed  Rounded  varieties,  of  whicii  there  are  many  strains. 
They  aie  nearly  identical  in  form,  in  color  and  in  other  qualities.  The 
N.,  B.,  G.  Co.'s  Prize  Winner  is  an  excellent  form  of  this  typt.  Car- 
ter's Hardy  Swede  and  Skirving's  Swede,  similar  in  shape  and  color 
are  both  good.    The  Monarch  Swede,  Llephant  or  Tankard,  as  it  is 


known  by  each 
of  those  names, 
has  been  recent- 
ly   introduced 
from    England, 
and   Is  gaining 
favor  wherever 
grown.    It  usu- 
ally   attains    a 
larger  size  than 
any  of  the  varie- 
ties   previously 
named,  and  it  is 
thought   will 
yield  more  to  the 
acre.  The  Sweet 
German,  a  well 
known  and  pop- 
ular  sort,  has 
flesh    remarka- 
bly sweet  and 
tender.    Among 
the  leading  fall 
varieties  may  be 
named  the  Jer- 
sey Navet,  the 
PurpleTop  Strap 
Leaf, White  Flat 
Dutch  "  Strap 


Leaf,  Red  Globe 
Norfolk  and 
White  Norfolk. 
The  prepara- 
tion of  the  soil  re- 
quired for  a  crop 
of  turnips  is  vir- 
tually the  same 
as  for  a  crop  of 
mangels,  with 
the  difference, 
however,  that 
the  application 
of  tiie  manure 
may  be  deferred 
until  the  winter 
season  In  all  in- 
stances where  it 
is  so  desired. 
When  the  ma- 
nure is  thus  ap- 
plied, however, 
the  ground 
would  require 
plowing  again 
in  the  spring. 
The  aim  both  in 
the  autumn  and 
in    the    spring 


Monarch  Hcta  Baoa. 
should  ^ J  to  clean  the  land  from  noxious  weeds  and  weed  seeds,  so  fai 
as  this  may  be  possible,  and  it  is  best  accomplished  by  stirring  the  land 
frequently  more  or  less  deeply  as  occasion  may  require.  The  proper 
preparation  of  the  land  for  a  turnip  crop  will  be  found  peculiarly 


llllMKWIWHilllWni 


Fodder  Plants. 

re  are  many  strains, 
other  qualities.    Thn 
1  of  this  typt.    Car- 
ir  In  shape  and  color 
or  Tankard,  as  it  is 
Leaf,  Red  Globe 
Norfolk    and 
White  Norfolk. 
The  prepara- 
tion of  thesoil  re- 
quired for  a  crop 
of  turnips  is  vir- 
tually the  same 
as  for  a  crop  of 
mangels,    with 
the     difference, 
however,     that 
the    application 
of   tiie   manure 
may  be  deferred 
until  the  winter 
season  in  all  in- 
stances where  It 
is    so    desired. 
When  the  ma- 
nure is  thus  ap- 
plied, however, 
the     ground 
would     require 
plowing    again 
in    the    spring. 
The  aim  both  in 
the  autumn  and 
in    the    spring 
ind  weed  seeds,  so  fai 
ed  by  stirring  the  land 
require.     The  proper 
1  be  found  peculiarly 


Field  Roots. 


119 


helpful  In  freeing  the  land  from  weeds.  The  cultivation  In  the 
autumn  goes  far  toward  freeing  the  section  of  the  soil  that  is  then 
uppermost  from  the  presence  of  these  noxious  Intruders.  And  the 
cultivation  in  the  spring  before  sowing  the  crop  will  go  far  toward  se- 
curing a  similar  result  with  the  section  of  the  soil  which  was  under- 
neath in  the  fall,  but  which  was  placed  uppermost  by  the  plowing  In 
the  spring.  The  spring  plough- 
ing should  take  place  early  to  fa- 
cilitate the  decay  of  the  manure, 
and  to  lengthen  the  period  for 
occasional  shallow  surface  culti- 
vation in  the  spring.  Such  cul- 
tivation will  facilitate  the  reten- 
tion of  ground  moisture,  hence 
there  is  less  difficulty  in  securing 
germination  in  sucli  soils  when 
the  weather  is  dry.  Purpi.Top8t»pl«««  t«™ir. 

Superphosphate  and  salt  stand  high  in  favor  among  commercial 
fertilizers  for  applying  to  the  turnip  crop.    These  manures  may  be  used 
at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  pounds  of  each  and  upward  per  acre.    They 
may  be  sown  on  the  land  just  before  It  is  harrowed  for  the  last  time  pre- 
vious to  sowing  the  Mcd. 
In  conjunction  with  mod- 
erate  dressings  of  farm 
yard  manure  they  usually 
prove  satisfactory. 
The  time  for  sowing  the 
seed  is  somewhat  depend- 
ent on  the  location  and 
climate.    In  the  Northern 
stateg,     from     Michigan 
White  Flat  Dutch  Turnip.  eastward,  and  in  Canada, 

from  Lake  Huron  *?  the  Atlantic,  the  favorite  time  for  sowing  Swed- 
ish turnips  is  from  June  10th  to  June  2Sth,  and  for  sowing  Fall 
turnips  from  July  1st  until  well  on  in  August,  according  to  the  use 
for  which  they  may  be  desired.  In  the  Northern  states  west  from 
Michigan  a  somewhat  later  period  would  probably  be  safer  than  an 
earlier  one,  but  the  season  of  sowing  would  probably  have  to  vary  more 


I 


!•: 


"T 


120      Grasses,  Clovers,  Field  Roots,  Forage  and  Fodder  Planti, 


Iv'l 


it  ^  f 


m 


■  t: 


% 


i 


'*'^il«ai 


In  the  west  than  In  the  east  in  order  to  obtain  periods  of  sufficient  mois- 
ture to  secure  germination  of  the  seed.  In  states  lyinK  further  to  the 
south  than  those  named,  It  would  be  well  probably  to  still  further  post, 
pone  the  time  of  sowing,  as  turnips  will  not  flourish  In  temperatures 
where  the  air  Is  hot  and  lacl<lng  In  moisture. 

As  with  other  kinds  of  field  roots  turnips  should  be  sown  In  rows 
and  on  the  level.  The  distance  between  the  rows  and  between  the 
plants  In  the  row,  as  with  mangels,  will  vary  with  soils,  soil  conditions, 
the  time  of  sowing  the  seed  and  the  variety  of  the  turnip.  Th«  rows, 
as  with  mangels,  may  vary  In  distance  from  twenty  to  thirty-two  Inches, 
but  from  twenty-six  to  twenty-eight  Inches  Is  the  distance  more  com 
monly  fixed  upon.  When  there  are  indications  of  an  abundant  yield, 
the  plants  are  frequently  thinned  to  a  distance  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
Inches  In  the  row  and  to  even  a  greater  distance.  But  on  the  otiier 
hand  there  may  be  Instances  where  a  larger  yield  would  be  obtained 
by  leaving  a  plant  every  four  inches  in  the  row.  From  ten  to  twelve 
inches  may  be  named  as  applicable  to  a  majority  of  instances. 

The  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  same  way  as  that  of  other  field  roots 
It  may  be  that  some  grain  drills  will  do  the  work  with  sufficient  accuracy. 
With  others  not  so  well  adapted  to  the  work,  the  seed  may  be  first 
mixed  with  some  more  bulky  substance,  as  coarse,  dry  earth.  Prom 
two  to  four  pounds  of  seed  per  acre  are  used;  when  all  the  conditions 
are  favorable  a  less  quantity  of  seed  than  two  poundl  will  suffice. 

Cultivation  with  the  horse  hoe  should  begin  as  soon  as  the  young 
plants  are  well  on  into  the  rough  leaf.  As  with  other  field  roots  it 
should  be  deep  and  wide  at  first  but  more  shallow  and  narrow  as  the 
season  advances.  It  should  be  frequent  and  continued  until  It  can  be 
no  longer  done  without  Injury  to  the  plants. 

The  plants  may  be  thinned  with  less  labor  probably  when  they 
are  not  more  than  three  inches  high.  In  all  Instances  the  cultivation 
of  the  plants  should  commence  earlier  than  the  thinning.  Great  pro- 
ficiency may  be  developed  In  this  work  by  care  and  practice,  Insomuch 
that  an  expert  can  go  from  one  end  of  the  row  to  the  other  in  a  long 
field  without  stopping  to  pull  a  weed  or  a  turnip.  The  work  of  thin- 
ning is  done  by  using  a  hoe  with  a  wide  and  short  blade.  The  person 
using  it  strikes  first  by  drawing  It  toward  him,  and  then  by  pushing  it 
from  him  on  the  other  side  of  the  drill.  With  each  stroke  the  turnip 
in  the  drill  next  to  the  disturbed  earth  falls  along  the  drill  where  the 


'  Fodder  Plants. 

luJs  of  sufficient  mols- 
1  lying  further  to  the 
ly  to  still  further  post, 
irish  In  temperatures 

uld  be  sown  In  rows 
ws  and  between  the 
soils,  soil  conditions, 

turnip.  Tha  rows, 
^  to  thirty-two  Inches, 
I  distance  more  com 
if  an  abundant  yield, 
from  twelve  to  fifteen 
I.  But  on  the  other 
d  would  be  obtained 

From  ten  to  twelve 
3f  Instances, 
at  of  other  field  roots 
th  sufficient  accuracy. 
ie  seed  may  be  first 
e,  dry  earth.  From 
;n  all  the  conditions 
ndl  will  suffice, 
as  soon  as  the  young 
th  other  field  routs  It 
w  and  narrow  as  the 
Inued  until  It  can  be 

probably  when  they 
tances  the  cultivation 
hinnlng.  Great  pro- 
d  practice,  Insomuch 

the  other  in  a  long 
.  The  work  of  thin- 
t  blade.  The  person 
d  then  by  pushing  It 
ach  stroke  the  turnip 
;  the  drill  where  the 


earth  has  been  removed,  and  the  next  stroke  reniovcs  the  earth,  weeds 
and  the  turnips  not  wanted  from  the  other  side  of  the  prostrate  plant, 
which  soon  rises  a(;aln.  The  crop  sliould  be  gone  over  a  second  time 
with  the  hoe  io  secure  the  "singling"  of  all  the  plants  and  to  remove 
any  stray  weeds. 

Turnips  do  not  require  to  be  harvested  until  winter  is  not  far  dis- 
tant, but  the  aim  should  be  to  have  them  stored  before  the  weather  be- 
comes so  unpleasant  that  the  woik  of  harvesting  them  will  prove  disa- 
greeable and  Irksome.  Sometimes  the  tops  are  cut  off  with  a  sharp  hoe 
and  the  roots  are  turned  out  of  the  ground  by  driving  a  heavy  harrow 
over  them.  They  are  then  drawn  at  once  to  the  place  of  storage.  This 
method  Is  speedy,  but  the  objections  to  It  are  that  It  tears  the  roots  to 
some  extent  and  soils  the  tops  so  that  their  feeding  value  is  lessened. 
And  when  the  roots  thus  lifted  are  stored  they  have  more  earth  mixed 
with  them,  hence  they  do  not  keep  quite  so  well.  At  other  times  they 
are  pulled  and  topped  at  once  and  are  left  lying  in  a  string-like  row 
from  end  to  end  of  the  field.  Four  rows  of  the  unpulled  turnips  may 
thus  be  conveniently  made  to  form  but  one  row  of  those  pulled.  This 
method  does  the  work  neatly  and  In  fine  form,  but  Is  considered  slow. 
And  yet  again,  they  are  pulled  and  laid  in  heaps,  after  the  manner  pur- 
sued In  pulling  mangels,  which  has  already  been  described.  When 
stored  properly  the  Swedish  varieties  will  keep  for  a  long  time.  Undue 
warmth  will  soon  Injure  them  In  various  ways,  as  by  sprouting  and 
causing  a  mould  to  gather  on  them, 

There  is  another  mode,  however,  of  growing  turnips,  viz.,  by  sow- 
ing them  broadcast  and  on  new  lands,  whereon  the  more  offensive, 
noxious  weeds  have  not  yet  entrenched  themselves.  This  mode  is 
probably  the  only  one  commonly  followed  by  the  farmers  of  the  North- 
west. It  has  already  been  alluded  to  In  Chapter  IV.,  when  dealing 
with  the  growing  of  turnips  for  forage  uses.  But  In  time  It  will  proba- 
bly give  place  to  drill  or  row  culture  In  growing  crops  for  winter  stor- 
a.ie,  since  it  requires  new  and  rich  land  to  make  It  successful.  On 
poor  land  the  turnips  will  not  attain  sufficient  size  to  make  the  crop 
profitable  In  the  absence  of  horse  hoeing,  which  could  not  be  attempted 
In  a  crop  thus  grown;  and  on  old  soils  the  weeds  would  be  likely  to 
overshadow  the  turnips.  Moreover  there  would  be  an  undue  propor- 
tion of  small  turnips  from  lack  of  thinning,  and  this  would  greatly  in- 
crease the  labor  of  handling  when  harvesting  and  storing  the  roots. 


I 


;t' 


•  J 


122     Crassfi,  Clmtrsi,  Fitld  Rooh,  Forage  and  Fodder  Platih. 

While,  therefore,  It  may  be  well  In  the  meantime  to  Rrow  turnips  thus, 
even  for  winter  storage,  so  loimas  new  lands  are  to  be  had,  this  mode 
of  raising  them  Is  peculiarly  adapted  to  their  growth  for  foraKC  uses.  It 
is  probable,  therefore,  that  the  Fall  varieties  will  be  found  ultimately  to 
answer  this  purpose  better  than  the  Swedish  varieties,  since  they  grow 
more  rapidly. 

Carrots.— No  root  crop  can  be  grown  with  so  much  certainty  of 
success  throughout  all  the  Northwest  as  field  carrots.  Nor  is  there  any 
root  crop  so  free  from  the  attacks  of  disease  and  insect  pests.  Carrots 
are  much  relished  by  ail  kinds  of  farm  stock,  and  are  excellent  for 
them  when  fed  as  a  part  of  the  ration.  They  are  particularly  beneficial 
to  horses  at  that  season  of  the  year  when  they  are  deprived  of  succu- 
lent food,  and  may  also  be  fed  with  the  utmost  freedom  to  milch  cows 
without  any  danger  of  giving  an  unpleasant  odor  to  the  milk,  or  taint 
to  the  butter  made  from  It.  A  carrot  crop  when  grown  on  average  soils 
will  not  take  Injury  from  the  frosts  of  spr'ng  or  autumn,  and  has  much 
power  to  resist  the  influences  of  the  drought  of  summer,  so  that  when 
It  has  been  well  started  early  In  the  season  a  fair  return  may  be  looked 
for  with  almost  unfailing  certainty.  In  v\ew  of  these  facts  It  does  seem 
unfortunate  that  any  farmer  who  keeps  live  stock,  In  the  east,  north, 
west  or  center  of  this  Republic  should  permit  a  single  season  to  pass 
without  growing  a  plot  of  cai rots,  be  it  large  or  small,  for  the  use  of 
his  stock.  But  It  may  be  that  th"  labor  Of  handling  has  been  a  serious 
barrier. 

Carrots  are  adapted  to  a  wide  range  of  soils.  Almost  any  kind  of 
soil  with  a  fair  amount  of  plant  food  in  it  will  give  a  crop  of  carrots. 
Nevertheless  the  favorite  soils  for  this  crop  are  those  of  a  deep,  sandy 
and  loamy  character,  or  such  as  are  composed  largely  of  vegetable 
mould  and  capable  of  retaining  moisture  In  a  fair  degree.  But  some 
varieties  are  at  least  measurably  adapted  to  shallower  and  heavier 
soils.  Owing  to  its  deep  habit  of  growth  the  carrot  requires  soils  with- 
out excess  of  moisture  In  the  subsoils.  When  the  soil  is  cloddy  or 
stony  or  shallow  there  Is  a  tendency  to  produce  prongs  in  the  roots 
grown  upon  It. 

There  are  many  varieties  of  the  carrot  In  cultivation.  They  are 
distinguished  by  their  shape,  as  long,  medium  and  short,  and  by  their 
color,  as  red,  orange  and  white.  The  long  varieties  are  somewhat 
losing  favor  owing  to  the  difficulty  found  in  harvesting  them,  and  for 


■i>jw.mijww»M«miBm)ii.'mi.iHMi'JiiJiin'"Uu**"«« 


Fotiiier  PhiHls. 

to  Kfow  turnips  tluis, 
to  be  had,  this  mode 
th  for  forage  uses.  It 
)e  found  ultimately  to 
tties,  since  they  grow 

so  much  certainty  of 
its.  Nor  is  there  any 
isect  pests.  Carrots 
ind  are  excellent  for 
particularly  beneficial 
e  deprived  of  succu- 
;edom  to  milch  cows 
to  the  milk,  or  taint 
rown  on  avera(;e  soi!9 
itumn,  and  has  much 
immcr,  so  that  when 
return  may  be  looked 
lese  facts  It  does  seem 
<,  In  the  east,  north, 
ingle  season  to  pass 
>mall,  for  the  use  of 
ig  has  been  a  serious 

Almost  any  kind  of 
ve  a  crop  of  carrots. 
)se  of  a  deep,  sandy 

largely  of  vegetable 
r  degree.  But  some 
lallower  and  heavier 
ot  requires  soils  with- 
the  soil  Is  cloddy  or 
;  prongs  In  the  roots 

itivation.  They  are 
d  short,  and  by  their 
irletles  are  somewhat 
'estlng  them,  and  for 


Jk«..A. 


M ,  B.,  O.  Oo.'«  MMtadoD  Carrot. 


N.,  B.,  O.  Co. 'a  VUtoriit  Onrrot. 


■r 


^.! 


tKi 


n 


'I 
'I 


I, 


I 

I 


the  further  reason  that  they  Jo  not  now  yield  such  larjje  crops  as  some  of 
the  other  varieties.  Amonx  varieties  wliich  h;ive  become  prominent  In 
the  Northwest,  none  stands  higher  In  favor  than  N.,  B.,  O.  Co.'s  Mjs- 
tadon.  It  Is  of  the  short  class,  and  gives  the  greatest  yield  per  acre  of 
any  carrot  now  grown.  The  roots  are  short  and  heavy  at  the  shoulder, 
hence  they  arc  easily  harvested.  Nor  are  they  liable  to  break  when 
being  pulled  or  stored.  The  roots  often  measure  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
Inches  In  circumference,  and  a  crop  of  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  tons 
per  acre  has  frequently  been  grown.  The  quality  Is  also  gr  od,  as  the 
flesh  Is  white,  crisp,  solid  and  of  sweet  flavor.  It  Is  a  great  Improve- 
ment on  the  white  and  green  fleshed  Belgian  kinds  which  have  been 
the  standard  varieties  In  the  past.  It  Is  not  only  more  productive,  but 
Is  much  more  easily  handled.  Northrup,  Braslan,  Goodwin  Co.'s  Vic- 
toria Carrot  Is  considered  the  largest  and  heaviest  cropping  yellow 
variety.  It  Is  thought  by  many  to  be  the  largest,  best  formed  and 
most  nutritious  of  the  orange  or  yellow  varieties  of  carrots  now  grown. 
Although  It  Is  not  quite  so  easily  harvested  as  the  Mastadon,  some 
growers  prefer  It  on  account  of  Its  color.  Denver's  Half  Long  Carrot,  a 
short  variety.  Is  properly  speaking  a  garden  carrot,  but  owing  to  Its 
fine  and  sweet  quality,  the  firm  character  of  Its  flesh  and  the  ease  with 
which  It  Is  harvested.  It  Is  sometimes  preferred  to  the  larger  sorts.  It 
grows  smoothly  and  handsomely,  and  Is  of  a  dark  orange  color. 

In  preparl.ig  the  soil  for  carrots  nearly  the  whole  of  the  work  should 
be  done  the  previous  autumn.  The  handling  of  the  soil  In  the  autumn 
may  be  the  same  as  described  In  preparing  It  for  a  crop  of  mangels. 
In  the  spring  the  soil  will  only  want  to  be  stirred  with  a  cultivator  or 
harrow,  or  probably  with  these  implements  In  succession,  prior  to  the 
sowing  of  the  seed.  It  Is  specially  Important  to  remove  the  weeds 
and  weed  seeds  from  the  upper  section  of  the  soli  the  previous  autumn, 
as  there  Is  no  opportunity  for  doing  It  In  the  spring  before  the  crop 

is  sown. 

Carrot  seed  should  be  sown  as  early  as  possible  In  the  spring. 
This  root  requires  the  whole  of  the  growing  season  to  perfect  Its  growth. 
There  Is  no  danger  that  It  will  receive  injury  from  spring  frosts.  Good 
crops  may  sometimes  besecured  when  the  seed  Is  sown  at  an  advanced 
period  of  the  spring,  but  they  are  by  no  means  so  certain  as  when  the 
crop  has  been  sown  early. 

The  seed  maybe  sown  with  a  hand  machine  when  small  areas  are 


asjuN^tunimigBtiafalSMtiatvi.'- 


1  Fitwiu^  rttnlit 

I  larife  crops  as  some  of 
!  bccume  proniliu'Dt  In 
N.,  B.,  O.  C;o.'s  Mjs- 
atest  yield  per  acre  of 
fteuvy  at  the  shoulder, 
liable  to  break  when 
from  fifteen  to  twenty 
len  to  twenty-five  tons 
y  Is  also  vo<\,  as  tha 
It  Is  a  K^eut  Improve- 
inJs  which  have  been 

more  productive,  but 
1, Goodwin  Co.'s  Vic- 
viest  cropping  yellow 
;est,  best  formed  and 
if  carrots  now  grown. 

the  Mastadon,  some 
's  Half  Long  Carrot,  a 
rrot,  but  owing  to  Its 
csh  and  the  ease  with 
I  the  larger  sorts.  It 
k  orange  color, 
ole  of  the  work  should 
the  soil  in  the  autumn 
or  a  crop  of  mangels. 
1  with  a  cultivator  or 
iccesslon,  prior  to  the 
to  remove  the  weeds 
I  the  previous  autumn, 
iprlng  before  the  crop 

losslble  in  the  spring, 
n  to  perfect  Its  growth, 
n  spring  frosts.  Good 
i  sown  at  an  advanced 
0  certain  as  when  the 

!  when  small  areas  are 


/y»7«/  Roah, 


\2S 


grown.  When  sown  In  raised  drills  the  same  machine  will  sow  carrots 
HH  is  used  for  sowing  oilur  kinds  of  field  roots.  W'iicn  l.irge  areas  are 
sown  a  griiin  drill  ni.iy  be  iisod.  With  some  grain  drills  it  may  be  nec- 
essary first  to  mix  tlie  seed  with  some  dry  substance,  such  us  earth  or 
ashes.  Hut  wlii-n  a  grain  drill  is  usi-d  In  sowing  any  kind  of  field  roofs, 
great  care  must  be  takt-ri  t<i  make  the  rows  as  straight  as  possible,  or 
the  labor  of  cleaning  the  cru(i  vvill  be  greatly  increased. 

Carrot  seed  is  slow  of  germination,  and  therefore  Its  growth  may 
be  hastened  by  soaking  tlie  seed  before  It  Is  sown.  It  may  be  soaked 
after  the  method  alre.idy  given  as  suitable  for  soaking  mangel  seed. 
But  the  soaking  of  the  seed  of  any  kind  of  liekl  roots  should  be  avoided 
when  the  ground  Is  not  moist.  To  treat  It  thus  at  such  a  time  would 
be  almost  certain  to  ensure  Its  destruction. 

Carrot  seed  Is  not  only  a  long  time  In  coming  through  the  ground, 
more  especially  in  the  early  spring,  when  it  should  be  sown,  but  It 
grows  slowly  for  some  time  after  it  has  appeared,  hence  there  Is  great 
danger  that  the  weeds  will  get  ahead  of  the  carrots.  To  avoid  this 
danger  the  plan  has  been  adopted  of  sowing  some  turnip  seed  aking 
with  the  carrot  seed.  The  turnips  come  up  more  quickly  and  mark  the 
line  of  the  row,  so  that  the  fight  with  the  weeds  may  commence  at  an 
earlier  period  than  would  otherwise  be  practicable.  From  two  to  four 
pounds  of  seed  are  used  per  acre.  When  all  the  conditions  are  favor- 
able the  first-mentioned  quantity  will  be  enough. 

The  distance  between  the  rows  Is  varied  much  by  those  who  grow 
carrots.  From  fifteen  to  eighteen  Inches  will  suffice  tor  the  needs  of 
the  crop,  but  they  are  more  frequently  grown  with  twenty-four  Inches 
between  the  rows,  because  then  it  Is  easier  to  get  a  cultivator  sufficiently 
narrow  to  use  In  keeping  them  clean.  Where  but  a  few  rows  are 
grown  alongside  of  other  field  roots,  It  may  be  found  convenient  to 
have  the  same  distance  between  the  carrot  rows  as  between  the  rows 
of  the  other  crop. 

The  cultivation  of  the  crop  should  commence  as  soon  as  the  carrots 
In  the  line  of  the  row  can  be  traced.  The  plan  of  cultivation  recom- 
mended for  the  other  kinds  of  root  crops  which  have  been  previously 
discussed  will  be  suitable  tor  the  carrot  as  well.  And  it  may  be  pru- 
dent, also,  to  stir  the  soil  with  a  hand  hoe  along  both  sides  of  the  row 
and  close  up  to  the  line  of  the  carrots.  The  only  weeds  that  arc  thus 
allowed  to  escape  for  the  time  being  are  those  In  the  direct  line  of  the 


m 


%4  F<hU*r  P!,tnh. 


The  work  of  thinning  at  a  somewhat  later  perloJ  It  thus  ren- 
dered easier. 

Much  diversity  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the  extent  to  which  carrots 
should  b«  thinned.  The  amount  of  thinning  will  depend  on  such  con 
sideratlons  as  the  character  of  the  soil,  the  distance  between  the  drills 
and  the  use  which  Is  to  be  made  of  the  carrots.  The  plan  Is  sometimes 
adopted  of  growing  crops  without  any  thinning.  Good  crops,  that  Is  to 
say,  good  yielding  crops,  have  been  grown  thus.  One  would  naturally 
imagine  that  a  crop  of  carrots  grown  without  being  thinned  would  be 
destitute  of  large  ones,  but  such  Is  not  the  fact.  Yet  along  with  the 
large  ones  there  will  be  many  small  ones,  hence  when  the  crop  Is  to  be 
stored  for  winter  feeding  the  labor  of  removing  the  tops  and  of  hand- 
ling the  carrots  Is  very  much  Increased.  The  large  roots  only  may  be 
selected,  however,  for  storing,  and  the  small  ones,  along  with  the  tops, 
can  be  fed  during  the  late  autumn. 

An  average  distance  when  carrots  are  being  thinned  would  leave 
the  plants  from  four  to  six  Inches  apart,  although  the  distance  varies 
from  two  to  efght  Inches.  Larger  yields  will  probably  be  obtained 
from  carrots  thinned  to  only  two  inches  apart  than  from  those  thinned 
to  a  greater  distance  in  the  line  of  the  row,  but  the  crop  then  requires 
more  time  to  harvest  and  store  it  than  when  It  has  been  thinned  more 

severely. 

Carrots  do  not  need  of  necessity  to  be  harvested  until  winter  Is  ap- 
proaching, as  the  crop  is  very  hardy,  but  they  siiould  be  safely  stored 
■way  before  bad  weather  arrives,  to  avoid  the  disiigreeable  task  of  try- 
ing to  harvest  them  at  such  a  time.  In  lifting  them  a  plough  furrow  of 
sufficient  depth  may  be  turned  away  from  each  row.  The  carrots  are 
then  lifted  by  hand  and  placed  In  heaps,  as  Indicated  when  describing 
the  lifting  of  mangels.  The  tops  ore  removed  In  the  same  way  and 
the  carrots  may  also  be  similarly  stored.  They  possess  fine  keeping 
qualities,  hence,  when  properly  stored,  they  may  be  kept  fresh  and  fit 
for  use  until  the  end  of  spring  and  even  Into  summer. 

Artichokes,— The  opinions  even  of  practical  men  differ  much  as 
to  the  value  of  artichokes  In  the  economy  tf  feeding,  but  It  is  more 
than  probable  that  this  difference  of  opinion  is  the  outcome  of  the  diffi- 
culty which  some  have  experienced  In  getting  the  soil  entirely  free 
from  them  where  they  may  have  been  grown.  I  hat  trouble  has  arisen 
from  the  source  mentioned  Is  certainly  true,  but  If  the  ground  on  which 


'  /,',/,/,/  Pliiiih. 

ix  period  It  thua  ttn* 

(tent  to  which  carrots 

depend  on  xuch  con 

ice  between  the  drills 

he  plan  la  aometlmcs 

Cinod  crops,  that  U  to 

One  would  naturally 

ng  thinned  would  be 

,    Yet  along  with  the 

A'hen  the  crop  Is  to  be 

He  tops  and  of  hand- 

ge  roots  only  may  be 

,  along  with  the  tops, 

thinned  would  leava 
h  the  distance  varies 
probably  be  obtained 
n  from  those  thinned 
he  crop  then  requires 
IS  been  thinned  more 

ted  until  winter  Is  ap- 
lould  be  safely  stored 
ijiKreeabie  task  of  try- 
:m  a  plough  furrow  of 
row.  The  carrots  are 
:ated  when  describing 
in  the  same  way  and 
possess  fine  keeping 
be  kept  fresh  and  fit 
imer. 

il  men  differ  much  as 
feeding,  but  it  Is  more 
e  outcome  of  the  diffi- 
the  soil  entirely  free 
hat  trouble  has  arisen 
f  the  ground  on  which 


Fiftit  ffmtft. 


137 


the  artichokes  have  grown  can  be  turned  Into  a  hog  pasture  for  a  lime 
the  nrtlclMikrs  will  siMin  dl-tappear.  A  summer  fallow,  properly  man- 
aged, will  also  remove  them. 

There  Is  undoubtedly  a  place  for  artichokes  on  m.iny  fiirms,  jind  It 


It  even  probable 
that  they  will  yet 
be  grown  over  wide 
areas  of  the  North- 
west, more  especial- 
ly In  those  subject 
to  long  periods  of 
dry  weather.  They 
will  grow  In  nearly 
■11  cla!(si-s  of  soil, 
from  stiff  clay,*  to 
light  sands,  but.  of 
course,  not  equally 
well.  Several  hun- 
dred bushels  per 
acre  may  be  obtain- 
ed from  a  single 
crop,  even  on  me- 
dium soils,  when 
they  have  been 
properly  grown. 
They  are  generally 
grown  to  provide 
food  for  swine,  but 
m  ly  also  be  fed  with 
advantage  to  other 
kindsof  farm  stock. 
Cheiiiical  analysis 
gives  tliem  a  feed- 


tatoes  and  fiol.l 
roots,  as  turnips  and 
mangrlH,  and  as 
freezing  and  thaw- 
luKout  again  do  not 
apparently  Injure 
their  tveding  quail- 
tics,  they  may  ho 
harvested  by  the 
hogs  In  the  field. 
1  he  exercise  which 
the  hogs  get  while 
thus  engaged  Is  pe- 
culiarly beneficial  to 
such  of  them  as  are 
kept  for  breeding. 

ThereSrea  num- 
ber of  varieties  of 
artichokes  and  sev- 
eral of  them  have 
merit  The  variety 
known  as  the  Im- 
proved White 
French  Is  one  of  the 
best 

Various  methods 
of  planting  have 
been  adopted,  but 
the  following  is  one 
of  the  best:— 

Plow  the  ground 


Ing    value     ne.irly 

equal  to  that  of  po-       i-»»ii»  whiu  rmuoh  Aniotuik* 

tit  a  good  depth  and  then  harrow  until  a  fairly  level  surface  is  ob 

talned.    Make   shallow  furrows  varying  from  two  to  four  Inches  In 

depth  according  to  conditions,  and  about  three  and  a  half  feet  apart. 


^g,)  t 


4 


131     Grtutt$,  i'/t»vn,  FitM  Rfhy  F^ntg*  «««*/  i-'fdtltr  l*kmit. 

Cut  Iht  luNr<  ImUi  tm.ill  plfi««or  wtn  brfure  ptuntltiK  \\\tm.  I)rnp 
Ihcm  Into  t  10  (iirrown  tlut  h.ivt  born  oponcj  and  about  el«hteen 
ItKhcaiipiirt.  C'ovvr  attonn  a«  po»slhla  with  the  ploiiKh  or  harruw. 
I  ntm  ilx  to  eli^ht  biiihrU  of  nerd  will  plant  an  nae, 

I  h«  iultlvatlcin  l»  much  the  »ame  ai  that  requlreJ  (or  corn  a*  J«* 
ikflbftj  In  Chapter  V.  Care  must  b«  taken  not  to  cultlvale  Jeeply  «« 
t'lc  root*  extend,  In  »ome  Initancet  two  or  three  miccesmlve  crops  ar« 
j;rown  upon  the  name  land  without  plantlntt  the  »ced  more  than  once. 
VVhi-n  nnt  harvested  tootlovly  the  pl.intn  will  come  up  quite  thIcUly 
enough  to  furnish  n  crop.  Hut  to  obtain  thejte  crops  In  nood  form  the 
jtround  should  be  plouKlu-d  and  harrowed  every  aprlnu.  The  artichokes 
will  come  up  all  over  the  soil.  When  a  few  Inches  hluh  they  should 
be  harrowed  with  a  lln;ht  harrow.  Itio  cultivator  should  then  be  run 
tlirouuh  the  Kruund  both  ways  «o  as  to  leave  the  artichokes  In  hills 
like  corn. 

The  crop  Is  ready  (or  beInK  h.-srvested  two  or  three  weeks  after  the 
blossoms  (all.  It  may  be  harvested  either  fall  or  sprhiK  as  may  be  de- 
sired. If  the  Ik  I  H  are  unable  to  Onbh  the  harvesting  In  the  autumn, 
they  may  compkto  the  same  In  the  sprlnc. 


I' 

t 


II 


■: 


lit 


s*. 


MtmMin 


liinting  them,  l)rop 
and  iitNiut  elichtrfn 
t  ploii|(h  ur  hnrrow. 
irc. 

itrvd  Inr  corn  •«  J«- 
I  lullivalt  drpply  M 
iiucceMlvt  crops  art 
srJ  mora  than  once 
me  tip  quite  thickly 
p<t  In  kimkI  form  the 
ini{.  The  artichokes 
rs  hluh  they  khotild 
'  should  then  b«  run 
e  artichokes  In  hills 

:hree  weeks  after  tht 
iprliiK  »%  may  be  de> 
ttliig  In  the  autumn, 


I  N  I )  K  X  . 


Altike  Clover. 

ArtUhiike<t, 

Austrian  Hrome  Crans 

Barley  «Md  Oats  tor  I'orajte  or  SollInK, 

Barley,  Vnrletles,    . 

Blue  Cit»%%, 

Carroti,  flow  to  itrow,       , 

Carrotn,  V.irii-tleH, 

Cereals  for  ('odder, 

Clovert,  DlnuiHslon  of 

Common  or  Medium  (Clover, 

Corn  for  Horace,  , 

Corn  for  F  odder,      .  , 

Corn.  Varieties 

Crlmwin  (Clover,      . 

Hull  Turnips     . 

HieiJ  Roots  Defined, 

Fle!d  hoofs.  DIscuMlon  of 

Forage  Crops  Dctinrd, 

Hornge  Crops,  Discussion  of, 

f  oilder  Crops  Defined, 

Fodder  Crops,  Dlsmsslon  of, 

rirasses,  Dlscusslun  of, 

HarvestInK  Hay, 

Jerusalem  Corn, 

Kaffir  Corn, 

lucerne, 

M.immotli  Clover, 

Mangels,  How  to  Grow, 

Mangels,  Varieties, 

Mangels  for  Forage, 

Meadow  Fescue,  . 

Meadow  I'oxfall,     . 

Millet.  How  to  Grow, 


PAOF. 

I2A 
11 
72 
9S 
12 
122 
122 
94 
21 
23 
W 
76 
77 
14 

9 
106 

8 

SI 

8 

76 

10 

in2 

62 

61 

V) 

2S 

1()7 

107 

66 

17 

Vi 

89 


I 


M 


iT 


-N|iip^WP^««|W 


IN  DiSlX.— Continued. 


inii 


I 


Millet,  Varieties,      .  .  .  . 

Mixed  Grains,  fcr  Forage  or  SolllnR, 

Mixtures  suitable  for  Permanent  Pastures 

Mixtures  suitable  for  Permanent  Pastures 

Oats,  Varieties, 

Oats  for  Fodder, 

Oals  and  Wheat  for  Fodder, 

Oats  and  Peas  for  Fodder 

Oats,  Peas  and  Wheat  for  Fodder, 

Orchard  Grass, 

Peas,  Varieties,       .  •  t 

Peas  for  Forage, 

Peas  and  Oats,  for  Forage  or  Soiling, 

Permanent  Pastures,  How  to  grow,    . 

Permanent  Pastures,  Laying  down. 

Permanent  Pastures,  the  Renovation  of 

Pumpkins, 

Rape,     .  .  •  • 

Red-top,       .  •  •  ' 

Sacaline,  .  .  • 

Sorghum,  as  a  Forage  Crop,  • 

Spring  Wheat,  Varieties, 

Squashes,     .... 

Sugar  Beets,  How  to  grow. 

Sugar  Beets,  Varieties,       .  , 

Sweet  Corn  for  Forage, 

Tail  Oat  Grass, 

The  Everlasting  Pea,    . 

The  Sunflower, 

The  Importance  of  the  Grass  Crop, 

Timothy,     .... 

Turnips,  How  to  Grow, 

Turnips,  Varieties, 

White  Clover, 

WlldTimo(hy, 

Winter  Rye  for  Forage, 

Yellow  Clover,       .  .  . 


in  the  Northwest 
in  the  Hast, 


m 

72 

4S 

46 

94 

95 

96 

96 

96 

14 

95 

69 

73 

40 

41 

48 

69 

54 

20 

99 

63 

94 

67 

111 

112 

65 

18 

97 

100 

1 

10 
110 
117 
33 
22 
51 
38 


amvmiaMn'Pi'iiii.j  jihujj.U!UW« 


hwest, 


PA(iK. 

89 

72 

4S 

46 

94 

9S 

96 

96 

96 

14 

95 

69 

73 

40 

41 

48 

69 

S4 

70 

99 

63 

94 

67 

111 

.   112 

6S 

18 

97 

100 

1 

10 

no 

117 
33 
22 
51 
38 


„,.-»»^».— P —  ^^ , 


NORTHRUP,  BRASUN,  ROODWIN  CO. 

Were  11  years  airo  the  SMALLEST  are  now  the 
LARGEST  firm  of 

GROWERS   AND  DEALERS   IN   SEEDS 

IN  THE  WEST. 

•  •  •  • 

OUR  RB-OLEANBO  GRASS  AND  CLOVER  SEEDS, 

NORTHBRN  QROWN  FARM  SEEDS, 

SBLBOTBD  VEGETABLE  AND  FLOWER  SEEDS. 

ARE  THE  BEST  OF  THEIR  CLASS. 
♦♦♦♦ 

Oar  Catelosae  lua«<;  January  iBt,  of  eaeh  year  correctly  describes  and 
lUostrates  all  the  leadlni;  varieties  and  Is  sent  FREE  on  application. 

Wf iti  Us  **  *°y  time  for  prices  or  anything  reqnlred  In  the  line  of  seeds. 

RORTHRUP,  BRASUN,  eOODWIH  GO. 

SEED  GROWERS  AND  DEALERS, 
24,  26.  28  and  30  HMntpin  Ave.,  MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 


li 


iJB 


S'.'l 


'M\ 


■  V 


:tS! 


1 


The  Jewell  Nursery  Co. 


LAKE  CITY,  MINN. 


Hardy  Variitles  of  Fruit  are  Our  Spaeialtlai. 

OKABKNA.  A  seedlinR  ot  the  Duchess  f'//;v/Vm//>u'- in  Minne- 
sota. The  parent  tree  Is  now  2f)  vears  old,  and  Is  in  hella  ,oiuUtioii 
to  ihtv  than  any  other  seedlini?  tree  bearing  standard  apples,  in  the 
State  of  Minnesota,  without  any  exception.  The  Ol<aben;i  is  hardier, 
and  a  better  grower,  than  the  Duchess,  and  It  has  borne  more  fruit, 
and  better  fruit,  than  anv  other  variety  ot  seedling  apple  grown.  It  is 
in  all  respects  the  best  apple-tree  for  Wisconsin,  Minnesota  and  the 
Northwest.    We  will  match  It  against  any  seedling  apple-tree  in  the 

world  for  this  climate. 

NOHTH  STAR  CURllANT.-The  best  Ked  Currant  ever 
grown.  We  have  exclusive  control  of  all  the  above.  Stoc/:  sent  out 
by  us  Will  hear  a  metal  tat:  and  our  trade  marl:  as  f>roo/oftts  beint: 
^r,Hiii,ie.  The  North  Star  Currant  is  recommended  for  general  plant- 
ing by  the  Minnesota  State  Horticultural  Society.  Every  plant  guar- 
anteed.   Try  them. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  we  grow  a  general  line  of  nursery  stock, 
consisting  of  Hardy,  Iron  Clad  Apple,  Plum  and  Cherry 
TreeH,  Sliade,  Ornamental  and  Weepint;  Trees,  Grape 
VineH,  Currants,  Gooseberries,  .luneberries,  Raspber- 
ries, Blackberries,  l»owberrles.  Strawberrirs,  Orna- 
mental Shrubs,  Vines,  Roses  and  Greenhouse  Plants 

'"  "  Whe^n  buying,  always  order  NORTHERN  GROWN  trees, 
plants,  etc.,  that  are  acclimated  and  adapted  to  this  severe  cold  cli- 
mate. We  guarantee  all  goods  shipped  by  us  to  be  strictly  first-class 
and  in  perfect  condition  to  grow. 

Write  for  catalogue  and  send  us  your  orders. 

THE  JEWELL  NURSERY  CO. 

LAKE  CITY,  MINNESOTA. 


jm 


ry  Co. 


Speclaltlti. 

\n)iiitini,^\n  Minne- 
in  />f//i/  (Oiiilitioii 
ard  apples,  in  the 
kabenn  is  hardier, 
s  borne  more  fruit, 
ipple  Rrown.  It  is 
Minnesota  and  the 
riK  apple-tree  in  the 

t  Red  Currant  ever 
;.  .S'A'cX-  sent  out 
isf>roofofitsb(i)i,t: 
I  for  general  plant- 
Every  plant  guar- 

ne  of  nursery  stock, 
nil  and  Cherry 
If  Trees,  Grape 
rrles,  RuHpber- 
irberrlrs,  Orua- 
mliouHe  Plants 

r  GROWN  trees, 
lis  severe  cold  cli- 
be  strictiv  first-class 


lRY  CO. 

A. 


THE  VICTORY  SEPARATOR 


HAS  NO  EQUAL  FOR  RAPID  THRESHING,  SEPARATING 
and  cleaningall  kinds  of  Grain,  Flax  and  Timothy.  Seven  sizes, 
from  28-inch  cylinder  and  42-inch  rear  to  4()-inch  cylinder  and  62-inch 
rear.  Both  Minnesota  and  North  Dakota  State  Universities  after 
thorough  trials,  have  purchased  Victory  Separators  for  use  on  their  ex- 
perimental farms-  because  of  their  superior  separating  and  cleaning 
capacity. 

THE  MINNEAPOLIS  TRACTION  ENOINE 

Will  draw  a  heavier  load, 
steam  oaiier,  use  less  fuel, 

than  any  other  engine  in 
America.  Sizes:  10-12-14- 
16-18  horse-power:  Wood 
and  Coal  or  Straw-burn- 
ers, as  desired.  We  also 
manufacture  Victory  Self- 
feeders,  Reliance  Horse 
Powers,  Weighers.  Bag- 
ger Attachments,  Etc. 

Write  for  new  cata- 
logue. 

THE  ilNNEAPOLIS  THRESHINO  iACNINE  00. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINNESOTA. 

ONLY  MEDAL  AWARDED  FOR  A  COMPLETE  THRESHINO  OUTFIT  AT  THE 
WORLD'S  COLUHBIAN  EXHIBITION.  iBy.i. 


J-' 


I 


RE-GLEANED  GRASS  MID  GLOVER  SEEDS 

We  carry  Urg*  .tock..  .nd  tell  .t  lowe.t  m.rk.t  pries. 

Timothy    Clovr..  R.d  Top.  Blue  Or....  Orch.rd  Or....    Ml.l.l..    Bromu. 
Timothy.  Clov.rj|.  K  ^^^   P^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^  q^.„„. 

our  P.rm.n.nt  P.Mur.  .nd  H.y  nixtur..  ar.  p.„porM»ncd  ho  as  ...  give 

HutlHfttctory  resulls. 


IMPROVED  FARM  SEEDS. 


Wu  devote  more  altenll""  and  attrjialor  acroanc 
of  land  u. X  urowlnxof  p«rf.-.tcd  KtraloHof 


OaU. 

Barley, 

Wheat, 


Rye, 
Corn, 
Mangele, 
than  any  other  seed  cstabllBUment. 


Rutabagas, 

Carrot*, 

Rape, 


fiorghun, 
Peaa, 
Potatoes,  etc. 


VeGETABLE    AND    FLOWER    SEEDS. 

Our  Prices  are  always  Reasonable. 


Garden  Tools.  Lawn  Mowem.  Fertiliser..  Lawn  Qnui.  Iwectl- 

cides.  Hand  Weeders.  Cultivators,  Meeker  Smoothing 

Harrows,  etc. 


Write  for  price  on  anything  wanted  for 
THE  GARDEN,  FIELD  AND  LAWN. 

NORTHRUP.  BRASLAN,  GOODWIN   CO  , 

24.  ae,  28  &  30  HCNNEPIN  AVEWOC. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 


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jmm 


)VER  SEEDS 


rpiiMHfcl  tor  purity. 

narkat  prlM*. 

IraM.    Milieu,    Bromu* 
cy  arastet. 

yorlloned  ho  us  to  give 


or  iicrtmne 
ralnMcif 


Sorxhum, 
Pea*. 
PoUtoea,  etc. 


lent. 


ER  Seeds. 


lo8.    They  uro  caro- 
)St  crttic:il. 

aUe> 


Lawn  Qnas,  Insectl- 
eker  Smoothing 


ited  tor 
LAWN. 


GODWIN   Co  , 

kVCNUC. 
>4NCAPOLIS.  MINN. 


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mawMHHBM 


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